Ethical AI Law Institute Letter from the Editor Dear Esteemed Readers, April has been a remarkable month in the realm of legal technology and artificial intelligence, reflecting both the rapid advancements and complex challenges that define this evolving landscape. As we delve into this month’s newsletter, we focus on the intersection of AI advancements and their practical implications within the legal sector, providing a glimpse into both the current state and future possibilities of legal tech. This edition highlights significant developments across various segments of legal technology. Fro ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute How many times have you encountered the following headline in your favorite tech publication: “Tech Luminary Predicts AI Will Revolutionize [Industry], Says [FutureTech] CEO”? (A good example) The article that follows is predictably glowing, filled with quotes from an industry leader—let’s call them Alex Innovator, CEO of FutureTech—touting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Alex speaks of the technology’s capacity to address global challenges, from healthcare to climate change, in ways that conveniently align with FutureTech’s latest product off ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute The legal profession is increasingly integrating AI into its practices. Firms are leveraging AI’s capabilities for tasks ranging from legal research and document review to predictive analytics. This shift toward AI adoption has prompted state bar associations to proactively address the ethical implications of using AI in legal work. Recognizing the need for guidance, states like California, Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey have issued opinions or guidelines. The work of bar associations is aiming to ensure that lawyers’ use of AI aligns with their professional respon ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute The financial, ethical, and environmental costs of generative AI . Correspondingly, there has arisen a healthy amount of skepticism about the value of generative AI. An interesting article from, Softonic by Álvaro Arbonés is an example of this skepticism. The article, and others like it, beg the question: If the current feats of generative AI represent the zenith of its capabilities, is there value? Do the benefits justify the costs? Many people view generative AI’s applications as limited and not worth the investment, but it is crucial to delve deeper. Writes like Ar ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute McKinsey & Company recently produced an insightful report focusing on the critical aspects of AI risk management. The report looks at the risks associated with implementing generative AI technologies across various sectors, sectors that include legal practice. Their examination offers a wealth of knowledge revealing both opportunities and unique challenges. The legal domain, with its stringent requirements for confidentiality, accuracy, and ethical considerations, presents a distinct landscape for AI integration. This blog post aims to dissect McKinsey’s findings ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute The summit on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy in the Military Domain (REAIM) in Washington, D.C., is currently underway. It is a follow-up to the foundational discussions at the previous REAIM summit held in The Hague in February 2023. That meeting produced the: Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, sponsored by the United States. The REAIM declaration is about responsible AI use and has garnered the support of 53 nations. Forty-two of those nations are meeting at University of Maryl ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute Letter from the Editor Dear Esteemed Readers, As March unfolds, the realm of legal technology and artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve with unprecedented dynamism, presenting both groundbreaking opportunities and new challenges for the legal profession. This month, our newsletter takes you deeper into the ever-expanding universe of AI’s influence on legal practices, highlighting the latest developments and critical insights that are shaping the future of law. In this edition, we proudly present an array of topics that mirror the current pulse of legal tech ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute In recent years, the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the landscape of content creation. There have been numerous debates on the ethics of AI-generated content in legal practice, particularly regarding allegations of plagiarism. Companies are making money identifying plagiarized content, and copyright suits have labeled AI-plagiarism a real problem. When you dig into these concerns, you’ll find it’s a jumbled mess of overlapping standards. The standards of originality and the nu ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute In the fast-evolving landscape of legal technology, law firms across the globe are stepping into an ultra-dynamic AI environment. Some firms are spearheading a movement that is reshaping the future of legal practice. As recently highlighted in an insightful piece from The American Lawyer, notable firms such as Husch Blackwell, Winston & Strawn, and Norton Rose Fulbright are launching dedicated AI groups within the first quarter of 2024.  This strategic pivot towards specialized AI teams is both a response to the burgeon ..read more

Ethical AI Law Institute In a groundbreaking case, the Canadian appeals court is set to determine if a thumbs-up emoji can constitute a legally binding agreement. Is the thumbs up emoji about to change contract law? The case stems from a dispute between two farming companies, South West Terminal, and Achter Land & Cattle. It centers around a text message exchange that culminated in a thumbs-up emoji response. That response purportedly signified agreement to a contract for flax grains. Table of contents The Circumstances of the Case Legal Arguments and Implications Examples in The United ..read more