Tu abogado es un robot | Alejandro Touriño | TEDxParquedelOeste

The Impact of Technology on the Legal Profession

Critique of the Legal Profession

• Hernán Castiari, an Argentine writer and journalist, expressed disdain for the legal profession, questioning why not all lawyers are imprisoned.

• This sentiment resonates with some audience members, indicating a shared skepticism towards law practitioners.

Technological Disruption in Various Sectors

• The speaker notes that many sectors have undergone significant changes due to technological advancements, including finance (fintech), agriculture (agrotech), and automotive (autotech).

• Despite these changes in other fields, the legal sector appears to lag behind in adopting technology.

Emergence of LegalTech

• The concept of "legaltech" is introduced as a movement where technology significantly impacts legal service delivery.

• Technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are highlighted as transformative forces within the legal domain.

Predictions for Future Changes

• Richard Sashken predicts that over the next 20 years, the legal field will experience more change than it has throughout its entire history.

• Historical context is provided by referencing Roman law from Justinian's era to illustrate how slowly traditional law has evolved until now.

Examples of Current Technological Applications

• IBM's AI software Watson has a counterpart called Ross that provides legal solutions to individuals' problems without needing a lawyer's physical presence.

• These platforms aggregate vast amounts of jurisprudential information and can reliably respond to client inquiries.

Changing Roles in Legal Services

• The rise of AI-driven platforms suggests a potential shift in lawyers' roles; they may be displaced or required to adapt their functions.

• Many consumers now engage with digital platforms for services instead of traditional lawyers, reflecting changing consumer behavior.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

• Consumers often face issues with products purchased online and have two main avenues for resolution: lengthy judicial procedures or alternative dispute resolution via digital platforms.

• Digital platforms analyze complaints and provide binding resolutions based on agreed terms and conditions between parties involved.

Automation in Customer Support

• Large online platforms handle thousands of daily complaints using automated systems rather than human support teams.

• Software learns from past interactions to provide responses that mimic human engagement but lack actual human involvement.

Innovations in Document Preparation

• Google invested in Rocket Lawyer, which offers an extensive repository of digital forms for contracts, reducing reliance on traditional attorneys for document preparation.

Marketplace of Legal Content

Introduction to Legal Marketplaces

• The concept of a marketplace is introduced, where users consume legal content tailored to their specific needs and cases.

• This represents a disruption in traditional legal service delivery, challenging the conventional methods of accessing legal knowledge.

Competition Between Lawyers and Technology

• A study involved 100 top lawyers from London competing against software using 800 previously resolved cases.

• The software achieved nearly 90% accuracy in predicting case outcomes, while the lawyers only reached about 75%.

• This highlights how trained machines can sometimes outperform human experts in certain tasks.

Emergence of Smart Contracts

• Discussion on smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements facilitated by blockchain technology.

• An analogy is made with washing machines that can automatically order detergent when supplies run low, illustrating the practical application of smart contracts.

Practical Implications of Smart Contracts

• In real-world scenarios, smart contracts could automate processes like purchasing goods or managing loans based on predefined conditions.

• Example provided: If a car loan payment is missed, a connected car may not start as it receives an automatic command due to the terms set in a smart contract.

Changing Landscape for Legal Professionals

• The integration of technology into law education is emphasized; modern law students now learn programming alongside traditional legal studies.

• This shift aims to equip future lawyers with tools necessary for efficient service delivery in an increasingly tech-driven environment.

Ethical and Legal Implications of AI in Law

The Role of Intelligent Supercomputers

• Discussion on the capabilities of intelligent supercomputers to solve complex problems, highlighting that their conclusions can vary significantly based on different scenarios.

• Raises numerous ethical and legal questions regarding accountability when using AI systems for decision-making.

Accountability in Legal Contexts

• Explores the concept of legal responsibility, particularly focusing on how negligence or bad faith from a lawyer leads to liability under civil law.

• Questions arise about the accountability of software or chatbots when they provide responses that may lead to harm or negative outcomes.

Challenges in Current Legislation

• Notes that while Roman law provides some guidance, current legislation still has a long way to go before adequately addressing these emerging issues with AI.

• Emphasizes the need for further development in legal frameworks to effectively manage the implications of AI technologies.