Artificial Intelligence And Law

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Grasping the AI by its roots.
• Talking about the “real intelligence” of AI.
• Should such intelligence be provided as an impetus for the future law-makers?
• In-depth analysis of the impact of AI in the legal profession
• Certain drawbacks and potential of such high-tech. 

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INTRODUCTION

The advent of modernization has brought the whole world closer than ever. Every second there is a new aspect to discover, while the true capacity of our resources is still to be taken care of, we, humans, the most intelligent species on the planet, are already on the verge of unlocking the true explanation behind our creation. The creation of Artificial Intelligence has broadened our perspective of looking at things, a number complex situations can now be easily handled on a command of just a few binary digits. But can such a fast-paced system, outrun the human brain?

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Discovered in 1955, it is an intelligence, or the thinking capacity displayed by a machine, which was created, keeping in mind the complexity of the human brain. Unlike normal intelligence, it does not have any sense of commonality or any feeling of emotion. While in the present, a concept of “Strong AI” has been developed, it is a term used to denote the strong sense of similarity between a machine and that of a human brain, the former may still lack the sense of consciousness but it does have convenient solutions to offer that too even faster than human brain, it has a strong set of cognitive abilities and a developed sense of problem-solving skills made purely after mimicking the human brain.

In the former stages of AI, the discovery was thought to be a “curse” on the humanity, it was criticized as to how the common people would now majorly depend on certain “machines” for their daily chores, along with how this could completely destroy the sense of reality. As the people started embracing modernization, the thought of AI as a part of everyday life became a fact but there were a number of certain promulgations about how such technology could “backfire” along with a bizarre number of dubious proletarians.

The recent development of AI is quite astonishing, it is no longer restricted to a certain set of citizenries, as of now we have this intelligence being used in almost every major profession or in almost every machine there is. Some examples can be stated as follows:

• AI – Driven Cars/ Self Driving Cars
• Medical Diagnosis
• Creating Art
• Proving mathematical theories
• Playing games
• Search Engines
• Online Advertisements etc.

From the biggest Neurosurgeons to the dainty smartphones in our hands, AI is everywhere. 

HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE LAW?

AI is a very diverse branch and has been stealing a lot limelight since it has been introduced to the profession of law, the main question which has been in the mind is “Will AI replace lawyers?” or “Is it a sensible decision to follow the profession law after the introduction of this intelligence?”. One should not forget that AI might be convenient but it has no comparison to the sense of commonality, the lack of emotions and sense of reality which will always be limited to the human brain, pertaining to the present set of technology. Certain lawyers have been coerced to think about their profession from a broader perspective and alter their ways of interacting with the client. 

POSITIVE ASPECTS

• Cost Effective: AI provides a more cost-effective solution for the general public, which might normally cost a fortune. Though there are different solutions to a problem but it is a high probability that such higher intelligence would be able to provide the best possible solution. Platforms like CaseMine have developed an amazing strategy of offering legal opinion through AI. The software being used has seemingly stored a lot of data from different cases, therefore when a case is provided for review it provides the best possible solution known to him with the help of precedents.
• Convenient Legal Research: The foundation of every case depends on the thorough research, though it can be very tiresome and fretful for lawyer. AI helps in grabbing the relevant information in just a tap, it might seem absurd as to how the traditional ways of law are being disrespected, but change is the nature law, obsolete laws and imperfect legal research might be more than just trouble for a lawyer.
• Contract Management: Storing of client information and then using them as per the basis of the terms of engagement is known as Contract management. Such a method is adopted by AI as well, thousands of client information can now be stored on a number of servers, providing answers with just a click. Primarily, it was stored in a sheet which was made in a separate database, but now it can be managed remotely and that too with no irregularity whatsoever. 

NEGATIVE ASPECTS

• Risks of Irrationality: It is a known fact that AI lacks the sense of emotions and rationality, AI might offer the best possible precedent but it cannot offer a creative or a more improvised way to solve a problem. Moreover, it is possible that the information stored in it might be incapable of taking a decision from the mutual opinion of every person.
• Unemployment: While AI is offering a solution to a several section of people, it is evident that it would eat up the jobs of several lawyers who would normally charge for such an opinion. 

IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN INDIA

According to a research, only 4% of all the legal firms in the country are using AI as a part of their everyday work companion. The impact of AI was perfectly addressed by former CJI Dipak Misra in a conference, he said “...the future of any new-age technology lies in the regulations that govern them. Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises a high growth potential in a number of sectors… AI needs a strong legal framework around it to explore maximum benefits. AI today is growing multifold and we still do not know all the advantages or pitfalls…India has the right talent and technological resources. With a powerful legal directive, the country can set many milestones with a strong command over AI…But India currently does not have specific regulations that govern AI…” 

CONCLUSION

India is a developing nation and with its growth AI could act as a beneficial factor for the upcoming generation, though it is a question of fact that it could affect our labor-intensive employment growth. As of now it seems that adapting to AI with certain restrictions can prove a healthier environment, promising a brighter future ahead.