header-logo header-logo

Get a grip

19 February 2016 / Greg Wildisen
Issue: 7687 / Categories: Artificial intelligence , Features , Profession
printer mail-detail
nlj_7687_wildisen

From AI to smart apps: lawyers must forget about the terminology & focus on the bigger picture, says Greg Wildisen

On reflection, 2015 was the year of the birth of artificial intelligence (AI) in law. Some may argue AI received a little too much airplay, especially for those lawyers still undecided about the “robots taking over legal jobs” debate. So much so that some writers are already suggesting the term AI cease being used as it causes confusion. If AI is not the right term, what is?

Broadly speaking, AI is the theory and development of computer systems, which will perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. It’s a broad field ranging from face recognition, through machine learning, to robotics. Robotics arguably has little relevance in law, but certainly there is huge potential for machine learning, legal algorithms, and digital advisers amongst others.

Historically the term “expert systems” was used to describe much of what is known as AI today. But due to the lack of success of these systems in the late

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll