header-logo header-logo

Privilege risks in the gen AI era

199161
Olivia Dhein & Ben Roe explain how lawyers should think about privilege when using gen AI tools
  • Considers how legal privilege applies to the use of gen AI by lawyers, and explains that new types of documents are being created which are not catered for under the existing law of privilege.
  • Highlights that confidentiality risks are relatively easy to navigate, but issues such as the communication requirement and in particular the working papers rule are key factors to consider.
  • Goes on to explore practical considerations for lawyers who create material using AI, as well as discussing the future of privilege and how the law may need to evolve.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) by lawyers raises new questions about legal professional privilege. New types of documents are being created—both user prompts and AI responses—which are not catered for under the existing law of privilege.

Most commentary on this topic has focused on confidentiality, but other aspects of privilege represent overlooked

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
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
back-to-top-scroll