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Getting AI ready

18 May 2018 / Jan Hoffmeister
Issue: 7793 / Categories: Features , Profession , Technology
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Jan Hoffmeister on how advances in artificial intelligence can benefit the legal profession

This year has seen a sharp rise in the world’s interest in artificial intelligence (AI), making it increasingly difficult for the legal sector to ignore the potential disruption it could undergo because of this new phenomenon. Although there are many ways of defining the new technology, AI in its simplest form is the ‘the development of technological systems able to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence’.

Despite operating in a traditionally conservative sector that many consider to be averse to emerging technologies, several law firms have begun bracing themselves for change resulting from AI rather than risk being left behind. Dentons is more than just a global firm with an ever-expanding presence. It is also highly innovative. With the launch of Nextlaw Labs in 2015, considerable investment has been made in several new technologies, including start-up ROSS Intelligence.

The software, which comes in the form of an app and is powered by IBM Watson, uses natural language processing (NLP)

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

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Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

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Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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