The human-AI alliance brings together human intellect and artificial intelligence (AI), and it is starting a new era for the legal profession. I recently explored this human-AI partnership on Bonnie D. Graham’s Technology Revolution: The Future of Now podcast with a panel of legal futurists.
Some attorneys mistakenly believe AI will replace them entirely. But its real power lies in collaboration. Microsoft named its AI companion “Copilot” for a reason.
As I shared with Bonnie, AI will increasingly handle routine tasks like document review, evidence assembly, and basic research. This shift can transform the role of junior lawyers. Freed from time-consuming “grunt work,” they can theoretically concentrate on the high-level analysis they were trained for.
The human-AI alliance is grounded in efficiency and effectiveness. Here’s what my fellow panelists added to this important discussion.
AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Replacement
Cybersecurity Attorney Scott Aurnou emphasized how the human-AI alliance can make processing and organizing legal information much more efficient. However, he it could also increase risks of security threats like malware and privacy breaches. AI could find or create new access points for hackers.
The Human Element in Legal Counseling
Matt Stone, CEO of Behavioral OS, made a compelling point about the human-AI alliance. Although AI can handle the technical aspects of legal work, it cannot replace the human touch people want when in conflict. At their core, lawyers are the counselors who understand human emotions in ways AI cannot yet replicate.
Embracing the Future: Opportunities and Challenges
Drawing on her experience in computer science and with Harvard Law School’s Access to Justice (A2J) Lab, Mandy Mobley-Li emphasized AI’s significant potential to recognize patterns, such as racial profiling. Specialized tools are being developed and will become a normal part of the legal landscape. These advancements could lead to meaningful improvements in our justice system. Additionally, they will likely create new types of jobs and make legal services more available to a wider range of people. The human-AI alliance has great potential, but we must be careful not to rely too much on machine learning.
Collaborating Towards a Better Tomorrow
We ended our conversation with a hopeful vision for the future: one where collaboration between AI and humans in law drives innovation, makes the legal system more accessible, and upholds ethical practices. With careful guidance and a strong commitment to our human values, AI can truly help legal professionals make the system fairer and more efficient for everyone.