Artificial intelligence has taken major steps forward in recent years, and with the rise in AI software like ChatGPT, a number of industries will soon have to adapt to a new normal. Could the same be said for legal professionals? According to one Silicon Valley study, artificial intelligence could soon have major implications for the legal community.
According to researchers at DevRev, an IT startup in Palo Alto, California, lawyers fear the rise of artificial intelligence more than any other industry. They say lawyers have more fears about AI taking their jobs than doctors, accountants, data analysts and artists, which round out the top five professions exhibiting the most AI anxiety.
“AI is used in law practice to review and analyze large volumes of legal contracts, research relevant law case studies, and communicate with clients through chatbots,” DevRev reports. “However, the absence of human input can often lead to biased results depending on the data.”
Will AI Replace Lawyers?
Interestingly, when looking at the state-by-state breakdown, DevRev said that lawyers in Minnesota have higher levels of anxiety than other professions, followed by artists, doctors, accountants and data analysts. With that said, it’s still very unlikely that we’ll ever get to a point where lawyers are completely replaced by artificial intelligence. Like many sectors, AI can help to streamline some of the processes, but it’s not going to be able to completely remove the human element from the equation.
“There’s simply too much nuance to practicing law and defending an individual before a judge and jury to reduce that whole process down to an artificial interpretation of the facts of the case and previous case law,” said Avery Appelman, a criminal defense attorney at Appelman Law Firm. “There are too many important courtroom elements that would be missed or ignored if we let AI attempt to automate the entire process.”
And while AI will certainly be a helpful tool in the legal profession and many other industries, we need to remember the rights guaranteed to every individual who has been charged with a crime.
“You have the right to an attorney and a trial by a jury of your peers,” said Appelman. “Automating out these freedoms would be a step in the wrong direction for justice.”
We’re not going to turn a blind eye to artificial intelligence, but in the meantime, if you need help from a real person who will answer the phone 24-7, give Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today. For help with your criminal case, reach out to Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
