Law firms planning to implement artificial intelligence systems should engage closely with their insurers to avoid misunderstandings, the regulator has said in its latest assessment of the risks of the fast-emerging technology.

In a generally upbeat assessment, however, the Solicitors Regulation Authority says that AI 'has very high potential to help firms, consumers and the wider justice system'. Opportunities that firms could consider include using AI to complete administrative tasks more efficiently, so as to free up staff capacity for more complex tasks, the assessment states. Automation can also reduce costs – 'it could be used, for instance, to capture client information before a first consultation'. 

Among the risks the profession should consider are:

  • Accuracy and bias problems. 'These can cause AI to produce incorrect and possibly harmful results, either through hallucinations or amplification of existing bias in the data. These effects can have the added problem that people often put more trust in computers than in humans.'
  • Client confidentiality. 'Maintaining client confidentiality when using AI, not just protecting against exposure to third parties but also making sure sensitive information is secure both in their firm and when dealing with the system provider.'
  • Accountability. 'Solicitors need to remember that they are still accountable to clients for the services provided, whether or not external AI is used.'

Paul Philip, SRA chief cxecutive, said: ‘It is difficult to predict how quickly AI will change the legal sector, but increasingly we won’t be able to ignore its impacts.

‘So far it has mainly been larger firms using AI. However, with such technology becoming increasingly accessible, all firms can take advantage of its potential. There are opportunities to work more efficiently and effectively. This could ultimately help the public access legal services in different and more affordable ways.'

However he said firms need to make sure they understand and mitigate against the risks – 'just as a solicitor should always appropriately supervise a more junior employee, they should be overseeing the use of AI'.

 

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