Introduction

Every profession has been impacted by artificial intelligence (AI), which has advantages and disadvantages of its own. The legal sector is no exception. The legal profession has undergone a digital transformation that has improved legal services, increased opportunities, and enforced the law in a more convenient and relevant way. However, there are still many concerning difficulties associated with this digital shift. According to a story published on November23, 2023, a lawyer lost his job because he utilized ChatGPT to decrease strain; AI technology makes fake cases, Zachariah Crabill, a junior lawyer at Baker Law Group, was fired after drafting a legal motion using OpenAI's ChatGPT. Crabill, under increased work pressure, went to the AI tool to improve his document but failed to verify its accuracy. When the AI generated fake references to court cases, Crabill was fired when the flaws were discovered. Despite his dismissal, Crabill remains hopeful about AI's promise in the legal industry and intends to launch his own firm that will use AI to provide legal services. This instance is part of a larger trend in which the use of artificial intelligence by lawyers has resulted in complications, such as fines for law firms mentioning non-existent cases in court filings.[1] This article discusses the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and the changes they have brought about in the legal sector. It also discusses the drawbacks and restrictions that currently surround AI use.  

Impact

Generative AI has impacted the legal field in numerous ways. Legal research and document review are two of the most important applications of AI in the legal area.AI-powered technologies can instantly evaluate massive amounts of legal papers, statutes, and case law to offer relevant information to lawyers. This dramatically lowers the time and effort formerly expended on manual research, allowing attorneys to concentrate on strategy and client contacts. Machine learning algorithms are used by AI systems, such as legal research platforms, to find patterns and extract essential insights from legal texts. This not only speeds up the research process but also improves the accuracy and depth of legal analysis. AI is also making impacts in predictive analytics, assisting lawyers in predicting the outcomes of court disputes. AI predicts the likelihood of success in litigation by evaluating historical case data and identifying important criteria. This enables lawyers to make better decisions and set reasonable expectations for their clients. In the legal area, predictive analytics is not about predicting outcomes, but rather about providing valuable insights into prospective circumstances. AI helps automate repetitive operations and reduces the risk of human error in contract review and drafting procedures. Contract review technologies use natural language processing to assess and extract crucial information from legal agreements, ensuring compliance and identifying potential hazards. AI has proven to be a great asset in the field of legal investigations. AI can drastically speed up and improve due diligence processes, which include extensive research to analyse potential legal issues. The use of artificial intelligence in due diligence not only speeds up the investigation but also improves the depth and accuracy of the findings. Lawyers can recognize hazards more effectively, analyse the veracity of material, and make more informed choices in less time.AI-powered virtual assistants are becoming increasingly prevalent in legal offices. These assistants can organize appointments, respond to basic inquiries, and conduct other administrative chores, allowing lawyers to concentrate on more difficult legal concerns.

The advancement of AI has incredibly impacted lawyers; the advancement of technology has improved and made it more flexible for lawyers and clients. Given the favourable influence of AI on lawyers, it has effectively boosted the attention of lawyers on intricate and challenging matters. It has also improved decision-making since projected data analysis provides lawyers with an overview of the case, increasing the quality of the legal elements. However, according to Chris Perram, CEO of File Facets, "AI cannot replace human aspects in legal experience, judgments, and knowledge[2]."Yet, the integration of AI and human experience has the potential to improve the legal profession and impose better legal services, making it more efficient and adaptable for clients. AI has also helped the legal sector by speeding up client resolutions, lowering costs, and making legal assistance more affordable.

Demerits

The legal area has improved because of AI growth, the limitations are concerning. The first concern can be the violation of the privacy law as, in some countries, it is not comprehensive to disclose personal information, and those countries restrict the use of AI as it might not be fairly done. The second concern leads to ethical concerns regarding AI; AI systems must be managed ethically and safely. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms must be transparent, or at the very least, comprehensible. For AI systems to work effectively in our society and in the professions in which they are meant to be employed, they should also be in line with human values. The application of AIto intellectual property (IP) is the third area of concern. Current copyright rules do not provide protection for work produced by AI. This also applies toinventions. It may invent new things that need to be protected as patents thanks to its capacity for learning and creativity. However, AI cannot be regarded as the IP owner in and of itself; IP owners are only actual people or recognized legal entities. Another source of concern is a lack of human judgment. While artificial intelligence excels at processing massive amounts of data, it lacks the sophisticated human judgment essential for many legal situations, particularly those involving complicated emotions or moral considerations. Also, in relation to algorithms with bias AI systems are only as accurate as the data on which they are trained. If previous legal data contains prejudices, the AI model may maintain and even amplify those biases, resulting in inequitable outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI has had a tremendous impact on the legal industry, providing benefits such as automated writing chores, accurate data entry, and effectively reducing the workload for lawyers and clients. Despite the numerous obstacles and issues that must be addressed in the legal industry, AI integration in the legal sector provides numerous benefits to attorneys and their clients, including higher productivity, cheaper expenses, and insightful information. However, it is vital to acknowledge and address AI's limitations and shortcomings, such as biases, a lack of originality, and the need for human oversight. The further advancement of AI in the legal area will be contingent on striking a balance between harnessing AI's capabilities and respecting moral and legal principles. AI has the potential to be both the biggest threat and the greatest opportunity to the legal profession.

[1] Punepulse and Punepulse (2023) 'Lawyer loses job as he uses ChatGPT to reduce burden ; AI tool generates fake cases - PUNEPULSE,' PUNE PULSE - Trusted-Connected-Targeted, 23 November.

[2] Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc (2021) Chris Perram interviewed in article: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Law Firms.