The legal industry is at a transformative crossroads as artificial intelligence evolves and matures. According to Gartner’s “Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, 2024” report by Afraz Jaffri and Haritha Khandabattu, published in June 2024, several key AI developments are particularly relevant to law firms and practitioners.
Generative AI: Moving Beyond the Hype
While generative AI has dominated headlines, Gartner notes it has now moved past the “Peak of Inflated Expectations.” This suggests a transition toward more practical, value-driven implementations for law firms. Legal professionals can leverage generative AI for document drafting, legal research, and contract analysis, but with appropriate governance and risk management frameworks in place.
Knowledge Graphs
Enhancing Legal Research and Case Management One particularly promising technology for law firms is knowledge graphs, which Gartner positions as the “Slope of Enlightenment.” These systems can map complex relationships between legal precedents, regulations, and case facts, potentially revolutionizing legal research and case management. Knowledge graphs can help attorneys quickly identify relevant precedents and relationships that might otherwise be overlooked in traditional research methods.
AI TRiSM (Trust, Risk and Security Management)
Gartner’s emphasis on AI TRiSM is especially relevant for law firms handling sensitive client information. This framework addresses governance, trustworthiness, fairness, reliability, and data protection – all crucial considerations for legal practices implementing AI solutions. The report suggests that organizations that don’t consistently manage AI risks are “exponentially inclined to experience adverse outcomes.”
Responsible AI
A Critical Consideration Gartner positions Responsible AI as having “transformational” benefit potential. For law firms, this means ensuring AI implementations align with ethical guidelines, regulatory compliance, and professional responsibilities. This includes considerations of bias mitigation, transparency, and accountability in AI-assisted legal work.
“While generative AI has firmly established itself as the future of legal technology, it’s imperative that legal professionals educate themselves on its potential and impacts, and use it responsibly, said AJ Shankar, CEO and Founder of Everlaw. “Ultimately, it’s about deciding what’s best for you, and making decisions based on that.”
Document Intelligence and Analysis
While not explicitly covered as a standalone category, the report’s discussion of intelligent applications has clear implications for document review and analysis – a core function in legal practice. AI-powered tools can augment attorneys’ ability to process large volumes of documents more efficiently while maintaining accuracy.
“By combining AI-enhanced keyword search, semantic analysis, machine learning, and generative AI, lawyers can now use a unified system that can find relevant documents, analyze their contents, and generate comprehensive reports in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods,” said John Tredennick, CEO and Founder of Merlin Search Technologies.
Looking Ahead
Gartner notes that organizations should “strike a balance between the business value and associated risks within regulatory, business, and ethical boundaries.” This means carefully evaluating AI implementations while maintaining professional standards and ethical obligations for law firms.
Action Items for Law Firms
- Develop clear AI governance frameworks
- Invest in training programs for attorneys and staff
- Carefully evaluate vendor claims and capabilities
- Implement robust security and privacy protocols
- Monitor regulatory developments regarding AI in legal practice
The evolving AI landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for legal practitioners. Success will depend on thoughtful implementation that balances innovation with professional responsibility and client service.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about using Generative AI for your matter, please contact us at sales@ilsteam.com.
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We have worked on many of the country’s largest and most noteworthy litigations over the past decade, including Takata Airbags, Roundup, Social Media Victims, 3M Combat Earplugs, JUUL Vaping, Actos/Bladder Cancer, VW Diesel Emissions, Alex Jones – Sandy Hook, Opioids, and Philips CPAP, among many others.
ILS supports multiple leading platforms including Reveal, Everlaw, Merlin, Relativity, iConect, and Nebula.
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