OpenAI’s ChatGPT was a prototype that opened up a new world of possibilities for generative artificial (AI) and continues revolutionizing how we live and work. Many lawyers and legal experts are starting to realize the potential of these tools for the profession.

A recent survey by the Thomson Reuters Institute of Lawyers in law firms found that 82% believe that generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can be used to assist with legal work. 59% of managing and partner partners agreed. Despite the large majority of firms, they are still cautiously proactive. 62% of respondents expressed concerns about using ChatGPT at work and generative AI. All those surveyed stated they did not trust tools like ChatGPT to handle confidential client information.

Understandably, there will be some trepidation when introducing new technologies, but the key findings reveal that building trust in AI has to be a priority. How can law firms establish trust in AI technology?

Transparency is the key to trust in AI.

Transparency in AI is a critical component of our article on the current state of AI. It means that all stakeholders, including developers, users, and lawyers, should be confident about the data AI models use and how they make decisions. They should be ready to test AI outputs with their knowledge and experience in early implementations.

Transparency also assures that ethical principles will be followed during a generative AI’s entire development and deployment process to avoid bias. Confirming that the data collected for training models are not biased and have been managed responsibly is essential.

Legal work and AI transparency

Accuracy is the most essential and fundamental factor in building trust. Remember that AI-generated tools may only sometimes produce the correct results and that human oversight will still be necessary. Law firms should review all documentation produced by AI systems to ensure it meets the standards of accuracy, security, and explainability.

When using generative AI to generate client data, firms must also establish strong governance structures and security measures like:

Encryption protocols

A robust policy on ethical usage

Regular Auditing and Testing

Strong content filter systems

Human in the Loop (HITL) always submits large language models (LLMs) outputs to human review. (At least during the initial phases of working with LLMs)

Know your user (for traceability)

Employees should be educated about the LLM’s promises and limitations

Training personnel on the best practices to use technology safely and responsibly

These measures will ensure that risks are minimized, and the potential benefits of generative AI maximized. Adopting a ” fail-safe ” system will allow any errors or discrepancies flagged by AI to be reviewed manually by lawyers or other qualified personnel. In this way, incorrect decisions can be corrected confidently and quickly to benefit clients and firms.

The emergence of generative AI will revolutionize how the legal profession practices law. It’s here to stay. This emerging technology brings a need for trust – giving lawyers confidence that they can protect their client’s interests while also learning how to work better with an innovative solution. Visit our hub for artificial intelligence to learn more about generative AI and how it is changing businesses.