Blog owners get inundated with requests by people wishing to be guest bloggers. Usually they are selling something. So I say no — every time. Thanks to OpenAI, however, I may have found a guest blogger who is reasonably knowledgeable and isn’t a shill. What do you think?
Blogger Replacement Theory?
Back in the olden days, we thought machines might be handy to relieve humans of challenging or mind-numbing physical work. So we cheered on the robots — regardless of the impact on employment. After all, it didn’t change our deskbound lives much. Machines couldn’t replace knowledge workers, could they?
OpenAI recently provided a beta of ChatGPT that points to a future that is considerably less rosy for knowledge workers. Their bot has been trained to consume knowledge AND to improve its knowledge in a systematic fashion. While humans have been doing this since the dawn of civilization, we have not been entirely diligent or systematic in our efforts. So, over the long run, we are likely to fall behind AI.
However, as the examples below demonstrate, human bloggers in the legal industry still have the edge over chatbots — for now.
ChatGPT Show Us What It’s Got
Me: What is the current state of technology in the US legal industry?
ChatGPT:
The legal industry in the United States has been slow to adopt new technologies compared to other industries. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards the use of technology in the legal field.
One area where technology has been increasingly used is in the management of legal documents and cases. Many law firms and legal departments now use electronic document management systems to store and organize legal documents, and some firms have also implemented electronic case management systems.
Technology is also being used to improve legal research and analysis. Many legal professionals use online legal research tools, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, to access case law and statutes. In addition, there are now a number of artificial intelligence (AI) tools available that can help lawyers analyze legal documents and identify relevant case law.
Technology is also being used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of legal billing and time tracking. Many law firms now use time and billing software to track the hours their lawyers work and the tasks they perform, which can help to ensure that clients are billed accurately and fairly.
Overall, the legal industry is gradually adopting technology to improve various aspects of the practice of law, but there is still room for further adoption and innovation.
ChatGPT 12.28.22
Me: That’s a fine first effort, ChatGPT, but it’s a little superficial for our knowledgeable audience. Can you dig a little deeper, please?
ChatGPT:
The legal industry in the United States has generally been slower to adopt new technologies compared to other industries. However, in recent years, there has been a trend towards greater use of technology in the legal industry, as more and more firms and organizations have begun to recognize the potential benefits of using technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the speed and accuracy of legal work.
One area where technology has made significant inroads in the legal industry is in the use of electronic discovery (e-discovery) tools and processes for managing and reviewing large volumes of electronic documents and other data in the context of litigation and other legal proceedings. E-discovery tools allow lawyers and other legal professionals to search, review, and analyze electronic documents and other data more efficiently, helping to streamline the discovery process and reduce the time and costs associated with it.
Other areas where technology is being widely adopted in the legal industry include:
- Legal research: Many legal professionals now use online legal research platforms, such as LexisNexis and Westlaw, to access a wide range of legal resources, including case law, statutes, and regulations.
- Document management: Legal firms and organizations are increasingly using electronic document management systems (EDMS) to store, organize, and access legal documents and other materials. EDMS can help to improve the efficiency of document-intensive legal workflows and reduce the risk of errors and omissions.
- Legal project management: Legal project management software can help legal professionals to plan, track, and manage legal projects more effectively, including by providing tools for budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Legal process outsourcing (LPO): Some legal firms and organizations are outsourcing certain legal tasks and processes, such as document review and drafting, to specialized LPO providers, who can often perform these tasks more efficiently and at lower cost using advanced technologies and processes.
Overall, while technology has not yet revolutionized the legal industry in the way it has other industries, it is increasingly being used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal work, and it is likely that its use will continue to grow in the coming years.
ChatGPT 12.28.22 — two minutes later
Me: That’s a real improvement, ChatGPT! Will the third time be a charm?
ChatGPT:
The legal industry in the United States has traditionally been slower to adopt new technologies compared to other industries. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards the use of technology in the legal field. Many law firms and legal departments are now using a variety of technology tools to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the delivery of legal services.
Some examples of technology being used in the legal industry include:
- Legal practice management software: This type of software helps lawyers and legal professionals to organize and manage their cases, documents, contacts, and schedules.
- Electronic discovery (e-discovery) tools: These tools help lawyers and legal professionals to collect, process, review, and produce electronic documents and other electronic data in the course of litigation or other legal proceedings.
- Legal research tools: There are a number of online legal research tools that allow lawyers and legal professionals to quickly and easily access legal information, such as case law, statutes, and regulations.
- Virtual courtrooms: Many courts are now using technology to allow attorneys and parties to participate in court proceedings remotely, through the use of videoconferencing and other technologies.
Overall, the use of technology in the legal industry is likely to continue to increase in the coming years, as more and more legal professionals recognize the benefits of using technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
ChatGPT 12.28.22 — two minutes later
Should I hire this guest blogger?
Is ChatGPT ready for blogging primetime? To paraphrase ChatGPT: “Overall, the use of technology in the legal industry is likely to continue to increase in the coming years, as more and more legal [blogging] professionals recognize the benefits of using technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.”
The price is certainly right! But the content is relatively superficial. I’m guessing that my audience wants a bit more insight than that currently provided by these responses. So perhaps it is a bit too early for me to hang up my blogging hat and go fishing.
That said, I’m going to keep an eye on this. After all, a blogger needs to take a break from time to time and this could soon become a viable alternative to burning the midnight oil in order to blog.
Stay tuned!
[Photo Credit: Markus Winklerhttps://unsplash.com/photos/tGBXiHcPKrM
Above and Beyond KM 