Many in the legal profession report they do not use AI. Our panel achieved our goal …demonstrate everyone is USING AI with or without intention. AI is now embedded in every aspect of our lives, workflows and tools across industries. At last count, there are over 600 professional AI legal product platforms. AI is here which requires a relentless focus on responsible & ethical use.
Each panelists offered a unique line of sight about AI… judiciary, digital native attorney, legal academy and a non-attorney. Ethical considerations framed the dialogue for sharing experiences with legal tech workflows, practices, tools & products, including the use of agents and the competitive advantage AI unlocks for boutique/midsize firms. We also, explored trends, pitfalls and risk mitigation with an eye to emerging case law, regulations and legislation.
Access to justice is emerging as a bright spot with AI empowering the public to represent themselves in proceedings that previously were out of reach because of the cost…from small claims court, restraining orders, custody, visitation, divorce, and transactional matters. While increased availability and access to AI shows early signs of straining current judicial procedures, increasing the requirement for greater responsibility by AI companies (Nippon Life v. OpenAI) and the significant rise of deep fakes- evidence, recordings, images, documents, etc., the potential is compelling with nonprofit organizations, attorneys, law firms and courts becoming engaged in providing AI education to the public to promote responsible and ethical use.
During the past three years, I led & contributed to the first national governance on the ethical & responsible use of Gen & Agentic AI in the legal profession by a state bar that is also used by the Supreme Court of California. The existing California legal regulatory framework, serve as principles to ensure ethical & responsible behavior expressed in rules, codes, laws & case law, along with judicial sanctions and professional discipline have withstood the complexity and disruptive nature of Gen & Agentic AI.
My experience is principle-based governance is most sustainable and effective… 30,000 foot integrated end in mind approach that guides behavior today and in the undetermined future.