Published September 20, 2024
By Agbetu Becky
The International Bar Association (IBA) and the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) have launched a new report titled The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession.
The launch was part of activities at a dedicated IBA President’s Morning Keynote Address session with CAIDP Executive Director Marc Rotenberg as the guest speaker, on Thur. Sept. 19th, during the 2024 International Bar Association Annual Conference holding in Mexico City.
The comprehensive report explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal profession and offers critical insights into the governance and ethical deployment of AI technologies in legal practice and how they help society.
The IBA, which is recognised globally as the leading organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies, says it partnered with the CAIDP, a worldwide network of AI policy experts and human rights advocates, to produce this pivotal report. Their combined expertise underscores the significance of understanding AI’s role in the future of law and law firms.
According to the report, the impact of AI on the legal profession is far-reaching, with implications for the practice of law worldwide and for the governance of AI.
The report also emphasizes the necessity for the legal community to stay abreast of technological advancements to maintain the integrity and efficacy of legal practices globally.
IBA President, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, says:
‘Meeting the challenge posed by AI developments at the legal front, the IBA has assessed and highlighted the crucial role lawyers must play remaining at the centre of governance of technological changes.
AI may not result in opaque systems endangering fundamental rights and values of modern societies. Also, the legal profession needs to embrace AI, understanding and learning how to make use of it, so that legal services may benefit from this amazing evolution.
The IBA is committed to providing ongoing support and guidance to ensure that AI technologies are developed and used in a manner that benefits the legal profession and society as a whole.
Key findings from the report include:
- 48 per cent of law respondents support regulation around the use of AI in the profession;
- 57 per cent said consistency was important in regulation as different countries around the world create their own rules;
- Less than half (91 out of 210 law firms) had policies in place around the use of AI in their organisations;
- 69 per cent of survey respondents were unaware of the extent to which AI regulation would impact their firms;
- larger law firms are using AI in client-facing applications such as legal research and building contracts;
- the use of AI technology offered a competitive advantage for law firms; and
- some law firms producing AI tools for their own use could be exposed to accusations of flouting competition law.
One of the main conclusions of the report is the transformative potential of generative AI, which is ‘poised to bring significant changes to the structure, operation and strategy of law firms.’
However, the report also cautions that ‘the implementation of AI in law firms requires extensive training and development programs to ensure successful integration and utilisation.’
This underscores the need for a strategic approach to AI adoption, focusing on comprehensive education and skill-building to harness AI’s full potential effectively.
CAIDP Executive Director, Marc Rotenberg, remarked:
‘As AI continues to evolve, it is imperative that we establish robust policies and frameworks to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency.
This report is a crucial step in that direction, providing valuable insights and recommendations for legal professionals and policymakers alike. It is a must-read for anyone involved in the legal profession, from practitioners and bar associations to policymakers and AI developers.
It serves as a call to action for the legal community to embrace AI responsibly and proactively, ensuring that its integration enhances the profession and society.
Key challenges facing the legal profession regarding AI include:
- ensuring effective management of data governance, security, intellectual property, privacy and policy development;
- AI’s influence on the hiring practices, structure and client fee schedules of law firms;
- the increased complexity of managing requirements raising the priority for AI training;
- regulation that is enforced rapidly could stifle innovation in law firms; and
- law firms may struggle to balance changing legal requirements with ethical obligations due to the speedy evolution of AI tools.
The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession builds on previous work completed by the Artificial Intelligence Working Group of the IBA Alternative and New Law Business Structures (ANLBS) Committee.
