With the increased usage of AI technology in the legal field, a question arises, will AI replace lawyers?
This post will discuss the 5 reasons AI will never replace lawyers.
Also Read: How Lawyers Can Use Chat GPT
Case Study.
Recently, Greg Isenberg, a product designer narrated in a Twitter thread how he used ChatGPT to draft “a scary collection email” and used it to recover $109,500 owed to his company from a client.
He saved up to $1,000 in attorney fees.
Imagine a multi-billion dollar client who refused to pay you for good work rendered. Most people would turn to lawyers
I turned to ChatGPT
Here’s the story of how I recovered $109,500 without spending a dime on legal fees:
— GREG ISENBERG (@gregisenberg) February 24, 2023
Chat GPT came up with a letter that Greg made minor changes and sent to demand the payment of $109,500, which was eventually paid.
It’s no doubt there will be more like Greg in the future, who with the help of AI, will be able to solve some simple legal tasks avoiding paying unnecessary legal fees.
Will AI replace lawyers?
Not likely. As it stands, AI will not be able to put lawyers out of work, generally due to lacking the human touch.
However, Artificial Intelligence has already replaced some lawyers’ daily responsibilities by up to 23 % according to the New York Times.
Therefore it is inevitable, however, the talk of AI replacing lawyers, for now, sounds premature.
Why AI Will Never Replace Lawyers
- AI lacks human reasoning, emotions, and judgment.
- AI cannot provide legal representation in court, yet.
- The legal industry requires a high degree of trust.
- AI cannot provide creative solutions to complex legal situations.
- AI cannot replace the personal touch.
Further elaborated below.
1.AI lacks human reasoning, emotions, and judgment
One of AI’s major shortcomings is its lack of human thinking and judgment.
While AI can analyze data and forecast outcomes based on that data, it cannot mimic the type of sophisticated reasoning that attorneys use when reviewing cases.
While making decisions, lawyers must evaluate a variety of issues such as precedent, legal theory, and the unique circumstances of the case.
This necessitates a degree of judgment and reasoning that AI cannot match.
AI just lacks the emotional intelligence required to connect emotionally with clients is necessary for the legal profession.
A lawyer’s role is to assist clients through tough and stressful situations in addition to providing legal advice, thus necessitating a degree of human contact and emotional intelligence that AI cannot provide.
2. AI cannot provide legal representation in court
While AI can assist with legal research, drafting documents, and preparing sample arguments, it cannot argue a case in front of a judge or jury.
Court procedures and situations need a degree of spoken advocacy and dynamism that AI cannot match.
Lawyers must be able to think quickly on their feet, reply to inquiries from the court or opposing counsel, and make compelling arguments.
AI simply lacks flexibility and adaptability to be able to handle unpredictable situations such as unexpected arguments, witnesses, or evidence arising at the last minute.
3. The legal industry requires a high degree of trust
Clients trust their attorneys to represent them in legal matters, which can have serious financial and personal ramifications.
Trust comes from a personal relationship and a deep understanding of the client’s needs and aspirations and emotional state.
Lawyers are required to preserve strong client confidentiality and to adhere to high ethical standards to preserve their client’s trust.
AI cannot build personal relationships or understand a client’s emotional state.
4. AI cannot provide creative solutions to complex legal situations
As a lawyer, you are always required to come up with creative solutions to complex legal-related problems.
Legal problems are rarely straightforward and require lawyers to think outside the box to find solutions.
While AI can evaluate data and identify trends, it cannot develop innovative legal solutions.
Lawyers must be able to think critically and creatively, which requires human intelligence and judgment, something which cannot be provided by AI.
5. AI cannot replace the personal touch
The nature of the legal profession requires lawyers to be able to engage on a human level with their clients and understand their worries and goals, however, AI lacks the necessary relative human feeling that lawyers share with their clients in order to achieve the desired outcome.
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While AI has made significant advances in the legal field, it can not replace lawyers.
Based on the reasons above it is clear that the human nature of lawyers will always resonate with clients.
Those qualities can not be replaced by any form of AI technology currently.
Read our guide on how to master AI technology in the legal profession, to not get left behind.
