When AI Sings the “Robot Lawyer Blues”
This week, we're diverging a bit to explore the capabilities of generative AI firsthand.
Background
Recently, while preparing for a presentation on artificial intelligence for a group of paralegals, we decided to brainstorm ideas for the presentation using generative AI. Our focus was on practical applications and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI. The tool we chose provided a comprehensive outline, touching on everything from text and image generation to the regulatory landscape surrounding AI in legal practice.
Intrigued, we pushed further requesting explanations of key concepts like the difference between predictive and generative AI and the role of transformative technology. The AI responded with a general explanation, then with a more specialized version tailored for a paralegal audience when we requested it.
The Unexpected Turn
Here's where things got interesting. On a whim, we asked the AI to restate the explanation in French. Without hesitating, it provided a fluent French translation.
We then decided to test the AI's creative capabilities, asking it to create a country song about AI in the legal field. It returned, “Robot Lawyer Blues”, a full country song, with a verse that starts, “My paralegal’s gone.” The song appears below.
# Robot Lawyer Blues
Verse 1:
“Well, I woke up this mornin', to a brand new day
My paralegal's gone, an AI's here to stay
It's predictin' case outcomes, faster than I can think
But can it handle bourbon when I need a drink?
Chorus:
“Oh, I've got those robot lawyer blues
Transformers changin' all the rules
Generative AI, draftin' up my briefs
But can it feel the courtroom heat beneath its silicon sheets?
Verse 2:
“It's analyzin' contracts, findin' every flaw
Generatin' memos on every point of law
But when the judge starts yellin', and the jury's lookin' mean
Can it stand its ground like a real legal machine?
(Repeat Chorus)
Bridge:
“Now they say it's trained on every case that's ever been
From tort to contract, it knows more than most men
But can it feel the weight of justice on its soul?
Or is it just cold logic playin' a lawyer's role?
Verse 3:
“So here I sit, wonderin' where this all will lead
Will I be obsolete, or will AI take the lead?
But one thing's for certain, in this legal rodeo
A computer can't replace the heart of pro bono
(Repeat Chorus)
Outro:
“Yeah, I've got those robot lawyer blues
But I'll keep on fightin', 'cause that's what real lawyers do”
Our Thoughts
The lines "my paralegal's gone" and “will I be obsolete” from our AI-generated country song initially struck us as a reminder of the fears many legal professionals have about AI. However, it also inspired us to consider how legal professionals can secure their roles and even thrive in this time of technological transformation. Here are suggestions:
· Embrace AI as a Tool While Balancing Legal Ethics: Rather than viewing AI as a threat, we should see generative AI as a powerful tool that can enhance our work. Embracing AI requires a careful balance between leveraging its capabilities and upholding our ethical obligations. While AI can dramatically improve efficiency in tasks like document review or drafting, it should augment rather than replace our critical thinking and professional judgment. For more on the particulars of our ethical obligations, you can visit our previous posts on the subject, including the one that follows: https://www.hoschmorris.com/privacy-plus-news/ai-legal-ethics-aba-formal-op-512 .
· Focus on the Human Touch: AI excels at data processing and pattern recognition, but it can't replace empathy, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. We should focus on developing these uniquely human skills to complement AI capabilities.
· Continuous Learning: AI is rapidly evolving. It’s important to keep up, commit to ongoing education and stay updated on the latest AI developments. Of course, staying current can feel overwhelming. To keep pace, we suggest setting aside 15-30 minutes a day of focused learning, including reading legal and technology blogs, listening to tech podcasts, and using generative AI tools to continuously explore their evolving capacities.
Overall, the future of every profession, including the legal profession, lies not in resisting technological change, but in harnessing it to provide more efficient, accurate, and valuable services to clients. We may all be feeling a bit of the "robot lawyer blues" today, but by embracing change and focusing on our human strengths, we can, at least in theory, look forward to a future where technology amplifies rather than diminishes our role.
(And meanwhile, we’re working on the tune for our new song!...)
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Hosch & Morris, PLLC is a boutique law firm dedicated to data privacy and protection, cybersecurity, the Internet and technology. Open the Future℠.