One doesn't have to dig too deep into legal organizations to find AI skeptics. AI is getting tremendous attention and significant venture capital, but AI tools frequently underwhelm in the trenches. Here are a few reasons why that is and why I believe GPT-3, a beta version of which was recently released by the OpenAI Foundation, might be a game-changer in legal and other knowledge-focused organizations. GPT-3 is getting a lot of oxygen lately because of its size, scope, and capabilities. However, it should be recognized that a significant amount of that attention is due to its association with Elon Musk.

Law firms tasked with analyzing mounds of data and interpreting dense legal texts can vastly improve their efficiency by training artificial intelligence (AI) tools to complete this processing for them. While AI is making headlines in a wide range of industries, legal AI may not come to mind for many. But the technology, which is already prevalent in the manufacturing, cybersecurity, retail and healthcare sectors, is quickly becoming a must-have tool in the legal industry. Due to the sheer volume of sensitive data belonging to both clients and firms themselves, legal organizations are in a prickly position when it comes to their responsibility to uphold data privacy. Legal professionals are still learning what the privacy threats are and how they intersect with data security regulations.

Although … it's actually not as forward thinking as it may seem. AI is no longer the nebulous, otherworldly techno-universe that you many have once envisioned. It's already here, today, giving us directions, telling us jokes, recommending music, answering our questions, generally making our jobs – and lives – easier.