Risks posed by AI outlined in The Law Society’s new guide

The majority of firms and solicitors now use AI for routine legal practice tasks such as drafting documents and analysing case materials. Although the use of AI and technology as a whole may well realise significant benefits, it also carries great risks.

Challenges to data protection are heightened. The risk of unreliable and inaccurate outputs increases. AI tools are also notorious for having embedded biases. As such, The Law Society guide stresses the importance of human oversight as an ongoing requirement.

This new guide outlines clear and practical steps on how to identify business needs, decide on the type of technology required, develop the brief, find different suppliers, negotiate contracts, embed the new tools and evaluate them.

Ian Jeffery, CEO at The Law Society, said: “The benefits of technology can be enormous, allowing more time to focus on original thinking and innovation, but the downside can be considerable if firms don’t adopt new technologies safely and responsibly. Our new guide helps firms ask the right questions, avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions.”

This new resource also provides downloadable templates to help firms strengthen their procurement processes and adopt technology efficiently and safely.

*The Buying New Technology Guide of The Law Society of England and Wales can be accessed online at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/ai-and-lawtech/buying-new-technology