10 Suggestions for Managing AI Fatigue in the Legal Field

As we navigate the complexities of AI in the legal sector, it's essential to stay both informed and sane. Here are ten down-to-earth strategies to help you manage AI fatigue effectively:

1. Work in Incremental Value

Doing a little bit every day is far better than cramming in a 5-hour catch-up session on the weekend. It’s about taking consistent, manageable steps. My suggestion is setting a short window of time (15 mins to 2 hours everyday) to work with it. And if you think you don't have time (understandable), think about your professional life 3 years from now.

2. Choose Your Providers Wisely

Everyone talks about AI, but unfortunately, most do not fully grasp its core concepts. Choose sources like newsletters, videos, courses, and workshops from the top players in the field. As you can imagine, I have my go-to resources, but won’t use this space to endorse them. Instead, I would like you to start conversations with these providers asking simple questions such as: Do you know the difference between machine learning and generative AI? What systems are you currently using? What are your current struggles and how are you managing them?

I guess it sounds obvious. But once you cut out a bit of noise, the mind is clearer.

3. Surround Yourself with Non-Legal Professionals

Engaging with professionals from different backgrounds such as engineers, developers, or economists, is a great way to understand the unique value lawyers can bring to the table, given their different expertise.

It can be during a workshop, a networking event, or just a beer after work. Tougher than it sounds, but well worth it.

4. Everybody is Struggling

I've been in the innovation field for several years, and despite my experience, I find it challenging. This is why when I meet a tech lawyer, a data law professor or a chief innovation officer, my main question is: How are you coping with all this? The only answer I typically receive is: "It's hard, and I struggle"

So yes, it is hard. For us as well.

5. Make Small Steps

The bigger the impact of AI in your law firm or company, the smaller the steps you need to take. Working step by step is much better than launching a huge project all at once because it helps you better understand and manage limitations, which are substantial.

6. Lower Your Expectations

Surprisingly, I still hear about robot lawyers. The more I practice with AI, the more I understand its limitations. And it's the same for all the professionals of the field. So if you hear about robot lawyers, go back to the suggestion number 2.

7. It’s Not a Zero-Sum Game

Do I believe that every lawyer should invest in AI? Absolutely.

Do I think that AI is purely beneficial? Absolutely not.

From bias to hallucinations, from confidentiality to lack of good data, the problems are endless.

8. Reflect on Your Business Model

I'm often surprised when partners and consultants discuss AI without considering how it transforms their business model. Reflecting on this is crucial as it is the starting point for managing AI effectively.

There are a few exceptions, but most forget that AI, legal tech, and similar tools are used to spend less in legal advice. So think about your profession 3 years from now. It will be a cold shower, but maybe you'll be able to use this reflections as a competitive advantage.

9. Embrace Being the Least Informed in the Room

Most lawyers are used to being the most knowledgeable people in the room. It's understandable. We are providers of knowledge, and sometimes the entire life of a person can depend on our strategies (think about spending a life in jail…). However, in this field, being overly confident can be a disadvantage because concepts like machine learning or neural networks have a steep learning curve.

So, enjoy being the dumbest in the room sometimes. 'Cos I do it as well.

Do I like it? No. Is it useful? Absolutely.

10. Enjoy the Ride

If you don’t have a destination, it can be hard to enjoy the journey. It’s like walking the Camino without aiming to reach Santiago. However, you can set small goals or simply savor the journey more than the destination.

It’s challenging, of course, but absolutely worth it