Like it or hate it, the advances in technology have greatly transformed how the law is practiced. Though the legal world has started to embrace the use of technology and the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), many lawyers think artificial intelligence threatens their legal practice and soon they will be replaced by robots. Well, they couldn’t be more wrong! Here is how and why lawyers should embrace technology.
Acceptance
Today, legal professionals aren’t shy about adopting new technology. Most lawyers use their smartphone to check their emails and maintain better communication with their clients and colleagues. More and more legal professionals use Dropbox to access their data and files on their laptops and mobile devices. Android and iOS users have the entire American law library in their pockets due to FastCase. But still, there are lawyers who think that robots will take their jobs. We think that is the wrong approach.
In the 21st century, lawyers need to understand that technology doesn’t mean the end of lawyers by any means. They should accept the tremendous positive impact technology can have on their business.
Those who embrace artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies will have a competitive advantage over those who do not. Law firms and lawyers will be able to provide better and more cost-effective legal services and representation for their clients.
Trust
We’re lawyers. We’re smart. But, we all should accept that today’s algorithms outperform humans in many areas. But don’t we need evidence that robots can do a better job before we trust them, you ask? In fact, we have that evidence. Law firms today possess technology tools that have been proven to save time and money while simultaneously improving quality within the discovery process.
The days of not trusting technology are over. So, we may not have a choice but to trust robots.
The law firms of tomorrow will surely be the ones that innovate through leveraging technology, to deliver more efficient legal services. The ones that choose not to embrace it, will simply be left behind by an increasingly competitive market. Think about that!
