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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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Even the most casual observer of current news appreciates the projected <a>use of artificial intelligence or “AI” to </a><a>improve service delivery</a> across a variety of industries. Artificial intelligence techniques such as natural language processing, machine learning, and deep learning have been commercially available for several years and are incorporated into some of the more widely adopted software applications (for example, Lex Machina which analyzes court dockets to predict case timing and judges’ penchants).

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The more recent maelstrom involves the use of a species of AI called generative AI (GAI). GAI is a subset of deep learning (a sophisticated sub-field of machine learning) that, based on a user “prompt” (i.e., query or request), creates new images, computer code, video, audio, or natural language based on enormous amounts of data analyzed to train the algorithm. GAI is designed to generate content – it is not an editor, not an analytic tool (yet), and not a web browser. It doesn’t necessarily operate in “real time”: it may be basing its work off ingested materials that are years old. Failure to understand this limited functionality (which <a>concededly </a>GAI performs brilliantly) is the genesis of much of the criticism and concern about the use of these applications.

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<a>Clients need to understand the technology being utilized to support their representation and seek competent legal advice on the issues that might arise. When considering a law firm’s use of AI, it’s essential for clients to ask relevant questions. Remember, the goal is to gain a clear understanding of how the law firm incorporates AI, ensuring that it is used responsibly, ethically, and in the best interests of the client.</a>

Here’s a list of a few of the questions that a client might ask about the use of AI and GAI. For these purposes, “AI” includes but is not limited to GAI.

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For several years, Thompson Hine has used AI-enabled tools in a variety of contexts. These include commercially available tools that rely on natural language processing and machine learning to analyze large quantities of documents and analytic tools that incorporate proprietary algorithms we have developed to analyze large quantities of data related to our delivery of legal services.

In keeping with our promise to the market of “Always Innovating,” Thompson Hine is assessing adoption of GAI tools to assist in our delivery of legal services to clients as well as in our internal business operations. We will strive to utilize large language model (LLM) and GAI tools as fully and as quickly as we can within necessary guardrails.

The authors developed this checklist based upon their experience and available resources regarding generative AI, including ChatGPT, which the authors used to generate ideas and suggested text.

https://admin.thompsonhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Thompson-Hine-Business-Law-Update-October-2023.pdf

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This article may be reproduced, in whole or in part, with the prior permission of Thompson Hine LLP and acknowledgement of its source and copyright. It is intended to inform clients about legal matters of current interest. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers should not act upon the information contained in it without professional counsel.

This document may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions.

Questions to Ask Your Law Firms About Their Use of Artificial Intelligence

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