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“AI – Friend, Foe or Ally of the Public Sector Legal Profession?”
There has been significant debate in the mainstream media, social media and general conversation as of late regarding Artificial Intelligence and it’s impending impact on every facet of our work and personal lives.
Having a unique insight into this impact on both employees and employers as a specialist Locum recruiter, there appears to be quite opposing opinions.
Understandably, the exponential effect on work life has permeated into the legal profession and continues to do so at a rapid rate. The fundamental question, or dilemma, is AI a friend or foe? Or to put an additional slant on the debate, an ally?
The most major and glaring issue is over reliance. In the legal profession, the entire sector is dependent on knowledge of past decisions, precedence and caselaw. It is these principles that determine an answer to a specific set of circumstances that facilitate an outcome, whether that’s criminal, property, planning, licencing, childcare, contracts etc. The entire sector is founded on data from previous decisions.
AI utilises this data, court judgements, statutes or rulings to answer legal questions. Over time lawyers could easily become complacent by becoming reliant on the answers from AI. Having researched the potential impact of AI on the locum market, Venn Group were informed of a Local Authority carrying out a test using Lexis Nexis and Practical Law AI systems. Both platforms were asked the same legal question a number of times. Incorrect and varying answers were produced despite the wording of the question being the same each time.
An over reliance on AI, particularly in its current state can easily lead to making mistakes through miscommunication and error. Continued reliance, false information and false sense of security can cause mayhem.
However, despite these issues, AI could be utilised in a way that is an ally. As long as there are implemented risk assessments, parameters and inviolable protections, then the AI can assist as a partner within the legal profession. Refining AI can facilitate change for the better. Feeding AI more cleansed and accurate information and sourcing from resources beyond the usual Lexis Nexis etc. can provide those systems with the details to prevent the above issues.
Beyond that, when the risk of error is negated, AI can facilitate a future of efficiency. Prior to tech developments, countless hours would be spent in the law library, photocopying, indexing and looking up various case law. The internet changed all that into mere minutes with a search bar, now AI can even answer the question posed by analysing the caselaw etc.
In essence AI should be ally, not a friend that we overly rely on and not enemy to be feared. In the remit of the legal sphere, AI should be reducing extra work. It should not replace the functions of reasoning but augment them.
Although the impact is yet to be fully realised, particularly in the recruitment sphere of the legal sector, it is clear that AI could be an ultimate aIly. Public Sector Lawyers can improve efficiency using AI and those systems learn of the Public Lawyers, a harmonious symbiotic relationship, that will change the skills demand across the sector.
We are proud to be LLG’s first recruitment corporate partner. Our commitment is to provide you with expert advice and guidance for your campaigns, ensuring your hiring success. In addition to our advisory services, we can of course offer comprehensive recruitment solutions tailored to meet your specific needs.
Michael Attwood – Senior Managing Consultant | Venn Group mattwood@venngroup.com
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