The over and underestimation of AI and law – ROSS' #LegalTech Corner

In the introduction to a recent report by Bird & Bird and LWI titled AI and the new wave of legal services, the author states what ROSS Intelligence and others have known for a long time: "In the provision of legal services, arguably the most significant emerging technology is artificial intelligence (AI), not least because of the benefits that it promises to deliver in cost and efficiency for law firms, alternative service providers and their clients." For this report, 15 general counsels (GCs) were interviewed about their current and potential use of technology, what they think of AI, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and how AI "may ultimately shape their expectations of the law firms they instruct." With insight from GCs at KPMG, WeWork, PwC, MasterCard and MetLife, among others, here's a look at what they said. There are three main points that are unsurprising. One is that the majority -- if not all -- the GCs believe there is an AI revolution underway; two, GCs are more likely to embrace technology if they are pretty darn certain it will make their lives easier and more efficient; and three, the adoption of technology in general is inconsistent not only across countries, but across organizations, as well.