AI Legal Issues- WHAT LAWYERS NEED TO KNOW

AI is really changing the legal world, a large number of lawyers are already using it. So, AI is sticking around. But, using AI in law also brings up some legal problems.

More recently, there’s been concern over the consequences facing law firms who signed onto Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, which provides access to OpenAI’s AI models via the Azure Cloud. More than a year after signing on, many law firms became aware of a term of use stating that Microsoft was entitled to retain and manually review certain user prompts.

While this term of use might not be concerning on its own, for law firms—who may or may not be sharing confidential client information with these models—this term represents a potential breach of client confidentiality requirements.?

In this edition, we’ll explore some of the potential legal issues with AI technology—and what law firms can do to overcome them.

What do my AI tool’s terms of service say??

It’s essential for law firms to thoroughly vet AI solutions before using them. Do your research and, if appropriate, consult multiple models to ensure that your solution of choice aligns with your firm’s goals and does not create unneeded risk.

What is my firm using AI for??

A secondary consideration when bringing AI into your law firm is simple: What do you plan to use AI technology for? Different AI models can serve different purposes—and come with different risks. Likewise, the purpose for which a law firm wants to use AI can create more or less risk for a law firm.?

What do my employees need to know about AI use??

Creating an AI policy for your law firm is just one component of ensuring firm-wide responsible AI use. To help ensure your employees are on the same page, it’s also important to communicate your expectations.

By offering ongoing education, such as lunch and learns or regular AI meetings where employees can discuss AI topics or ask and answer questions, your firm can help foster a sense of openness and collaboration amongst team members and learn from each other’s successes and challenges.?

End Note

To overcome AI related challenges, law firms must thoroughly review their jurisdiction’s rules of professional conduct, seek guidance from advisory AI ethics opinions, and carefully vet any potential AI solutions.

By taking proactive steps to address these potential AI legal issues, law firms can harness the power of AI while upholding their commitment to ethical and responsible legal practice.?