Artificial Intelligence(AI) is the development of a computer system able to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence.From SIRI, Alexa to self-driven cars, from suggesting articles or news of our interest, artificial intelligence is progressing rapidly all around the world.
On the basis of capabilities,AI can be divided into the following categories:
- Narrow AI, the most commonly used and currently available type of AI, is designed to perform a dedicated task and cannot perform beyond it, e.g. Apple Siri.
- General AI is designed to perform any intellectual task with human efficiency. Currently there is no such system that could come under General AI, however researchers and scientists are working towards the same.
- Super AI is a level of intelligence that could surpass human intelligence and can perform better than humans.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEGAL INDUSTRY
In the recent times we have seen artificial intelligence being implemented at a small but highly effective scale in various industries.Legal industry in no exception to the era “Digital Capitalism”wherein major industries are dominated by technology for its day to day survival. From putting in excessive labor referring to find out appropriate case laws by referring to books and journals to having access to Manupatra on Amazon’s Alexa for reciting case laws, the legal profession has found its way to the tech-driven industry, however, it is still in a nascent stage.According to anarticlepublished by Forbes, “Legal services market which stands close to $1T is one of the largest industries in the world, however, it remains profoundly under digitized”. The reason for AI in legal industry still being at a nascent stage, especially in India, is because the industry and the lawyers working still at preferwith thetraditional and manual methods of practice and work procedures.If AI is introduced effectively in the legal industry, it has the ability to transform this sector in drasticways such as there would be reduction of human error.
BENEFITS OF USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEGAL INDUSTRY
Artificial Intelligence, if used efficiently, can play a major role in changing the way the legal industry operatesand how law is looked in India.
The legal system is vast and changing constantly and with AI in picture, the lawyers will have unparalleled access and insight into the domain of legal research within seconds. AI has already made its way into the legal industry and in no time, legal industry will become tech-driven to reduce the work-load of clerical work that lawyers cannot by-pass while rendering services. Benefits of using AI have been enumerated below:
Time Saving
Resolving legal issues in India is a time taking process, be it litigation or corporate. If we talk about litigation, proper use of AI to perform specific tasks would expedite the pace at which the cases are dealt in India, which would eventually increase the number of cases that the lawyers and judges can take up in a day.
Quality of work would increase
With AI enabled software that would take care of certain tasks, thereby sharing the work load of the lawyers, our legal professionals will be able to utilise their time effectively by focusing on the complicated aspect of the legal issue at hand; thus, increasing the work quality.
Efficient Services with Cost Reduction for Clients
The usage of AI to perform particular tasks would reduce the work-load of clerical work that lawyers cannot by-pass while rendering services leading to reduction on billable hours andthus, reducing the costs. Further, from E-Discovery solutions to automation of contract drafting and to many more such innovations, AI will certainly improve the functioning of the law firms as well as lawyers. The legal solutions by artificial intelligence will reduce costs and will help the firms gain higher profits.
Increase in Profit-making ability for Lawyers
The use of AI by lawyers in the field of legal research can save significant number of man-hours and help the legal fraternity to utilise their time on other important things that need their attention, thereby marking an increase in the profit – making ability as the law firms can use their time and focus on building brand value.
Electronic Billing and Transparency
An AI powered legal software would also help the lawyers and firms in preparing the invoices as per the work, unlike the present system of manual billing, thereby making it accurately and in a timely and transparent manner.
ISSUES AT HAND HAMPERING THE USAGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEGAL INDUSTRY
Though the legal industry is already using AI in diverse ways, such as for legal research, intellectual property portfolios, legal analytics, document review, contract management, due diligence etc., which helps increase the efficiency of lawyers with reduced time and amplified productivity, it would not be out of place to mention that the legal industry is highly driven by critical analysis, decision making and representation which cannot be automated as every legal problem may require a unique solution. The AI for legal industry in existence still requires a human in the loop that is, a lawyer reviews the AI’sanalysis or draftingand then makes final decisions as to the matter at hand, which is one of the reasons lawyers are reluctant to adopt and rely on AI for day-to-day tasks.
CONCLUSION
Law is an evolutionary profession and subject to revolutionary change. Indeed, the future is now and the benefits of AI in the legal department are many. The technology may be limited for now but in the coming years,one can expect to see more of AI usage, like an increasing use of contract management systems, thereby assisting lawyers to do things faster, better and in a cost – efficient way. The legal market is increasing and becoming consumer-centric by passing of each day, thanks to technology that is making the public aware by providing information in just a tap away on their smartphones. People are requiring cost-effective, quality, efficient and accessible legal services. The legal industry is becoming more and more accessible through automated online platform for legal services. Having said that, it is imperative for legal industry to adopt the new tech-driven methods while maintaining the old school methods, for the future of legal industry cannot be separated from the Digital Capitalism.