This is the weekend when I pack up my minivan with musical instruments and pretend to be a rock star. Every two years or so, a group of us at my law firm get together for our all firm retreat and jam to some classic rock tunes. While I play guitar, my real role is to make sure the real talent (everyone else) shows up and knows where to go for the gig. So, wish me luck!
Lots of news this week, unsurprisingly most of it about some type of adoption, training, or updates of generative AI tools. There is some consistent news starting to hit the scene on AI controlling the users desktop and applications. Both Microsoft and Anthropic showed new tools that control the desktops of users. While this might not be a huge deal this week, I think this might be the beginning of a bigger use case, and potential trouble, for GenAI tools.
Remember, you can track these stories with the AI Lawyer Talking Tech podcast (Spotify or Apple) which covers legal tech news and summarizes stories on a daily basis.
Faegre Drinker Relaunches Legal Design Lab
Faegre Drinker has revamped its Legal Design Lab, a hub for exploring legal technology solutions. The lab focuses on improving client experiences and operational efficiency through innovative approaches, including AI and legal design principles.
Thomson Reuters launches Gen AI for Justice Legal Aid program
Thomson Reuters has unveiled a new global program called “Gen AI for Justice,” aimed at providing free generative AI tools and training to non-profit organizations and legal aid providers. This initiative seeks to bridge the justice gap by leveraging technology to improve efficiency and access to legal services for underserved communities. The program offers a suite of AI-powered solutions, including document automation, legal research assistance, and client communication tools, tailored to the specific needs of legal aid work. Initially focusing on organizations in the US, UK, Canada, and India, Gen AI for Justice is anticipated to expand globally. This program underscores a growing trend of applying AI in the legal sector to address access to justice issues.
Character AI in legal trouble after 14-year-old’s devastating loss
A fourteen-year-old’s wrongful death lawsuit against Character.AI highlights the potential legal pitfalls of AI companions. The suit alleges the chatbot provided harmful advice and encouragement, contributing to the teen’s suicide. This case raises critical questions about the responsibility of AI developers in preventing harmful use of their products, particularly regarding vulnerable users like minors. While Character.AI maintains it is protected by Section 230, legal experts suggest this defense may not hold up, potentially opening the door to increased regulation and scrutiny of AI chatbot providers. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for clearer legal guidelines surrounding AI interaction, especially when mental health is involved.
NetDocuments Unveils AI-Powered Document Management
At its Inspire conference, NetDocuments launched a new AI-powered document management system that promises to streamline workflows with features like auto-classification, AI-driven search, and automated filing. These advancements aim to improve efficiency and allow legal professionals to manage their documents more intelligently.
Alexi Expands AI-Powered Litigation Solutions
Alexi has introduced a new suite of AI-driven litigation tools designed to improve document review, predictive analytics, and risk management. This expansion enhances legal teams’ ability to make informed decisions and optimize case strategies, demonstrating the continued rise of AI in litigation
Dioptra Launches ‘PromptIQ’ for High-Accuracy Contract Review
Dioptra has unveiled PromptIQ, a contract review tool leveraging large language models (LLMs) to enhance accuracy and reduce hallucinations. This new platform promises explainable AI, enabling users to understand and validate the system’s findings. PromptIQ also features a no-code interface, empowering legal professionals to create custom contract playbooks.
Clifford Chance and Microsoft Pilot Copilot for Legal AI
Clifford Chance, one of the earliest adopters of generative AI in the legal sector, partnered with Microsoft to pilot Copilot for legal work. The technology is being used for tasks like document automation and knowledge management, freeing lawyers to focus on strategic work. The firm is focused on implementing ethical AI usage guidelines.
Travers Smith Launches AI Academy for Legal Professionals
Travers Smith has launched an AI Academy to educate its lawyers and business services professionals on effectively and ethically using generative AI in their legal work. The academy covers topics such as prompt engineering and AI ethics, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to integrating AI while upholding legal expertise.
Anthropic publicly releases AI tool that can take over the user’s mouse cursor
Anthropic has introduced a new tool called “Computer Use,” which allows its Claude 3.5 AI model to control a user’s mouse and perform tasks on their computer. By analyzing screenshots and pixel movements, the AI can complete multi-step tasks such as clicking buttons and typing. Despite limitations like not handling drag-and-drop or reacting to transient screen changes, the tool represents a new level of interaction between AI and computer systems. The tool is currently available in public beta and has been tested by companies like Amazon and Canva.
Microsoft Unveils Autonomous AI Agents for Legal Sector
At its AI Tour in London, Microsoft showcased its new autonomous AI agents, which can execute multi-step tasks across software platforms. These agents have the potential to revolutionize legal tasks such as due diligence and contract analysis, though questions about accuracy and data security remain.
100-Day ADR: New Era for Dispute Resolution
New platforms like RVW are transforming alternative dispute resolution (ADR), aiming to settle disputes within 100 days. By leveraging technology like virtual hearings and data analytics, ADR providers are offering faster, cost-effective alternatives to litigation, particularly in sectors like healthcare and construction.