Futurelawyer

AI Is Here - Does It Have To Look Like Us?

We humans are an arrogant species. We pretend to be humble at times; but, every time we get the opportunity, we tend to anthropomorphize every technological advance. AI is a marvel of computer and technological achievement. We are teaching computers to use their vast data storage capacities for useful purposes. Imagine a lawyer armed with every case report from all time, and the ability to search and analyze the results of that data in an instant? We are doing that now, with cloud based legal research, computer based analysis of Big Data, and advances in decision making by machines. So, why, given all that, do we need to fantasize about putting that tech into a human form? Why do we give such power and ability to a machine that has metal arms and legs, and can carry a weapon? Execupundit highlights this clip from the recent scifi movie, Ex Machina, which postulates an AI robot that kills the human who created her. (Pronoun used descriptively only). I predict that, even with our arrogance, you won't be seeing a robot Perry Mason walking around a courtroom anytime soon. You will, however, see lawyers carrying smartphones and wearing smartglasses and smartwatches, each of which will have the ability to mine millions of data, and make on the spot decisions and analysis of a pending legal problem. We don't need robots to look like us. We need to make ourselves more knowledgeable.  

No, Virginia, WestWorld Robots Won't Be Fielding Gavels In Your Future.

Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The Legal Industry For The Better. The human like robots on WestWorld are not the future. They aren't even the future of law. They are fictional beings who populate a world of magic and mystery. They are not real. The practice of law is grounded in facts, and client relationships, and dispute resolution. Artificial Intelligence can analyze more data, more accurately, and faster than humans can. However, AI can't make human judgments. AI can't do a better job of connecting with humans in a drama of human conduct. Get over it, Hollywood. I have no objection to the glorification of fantasy creatures in order to get viewers or votes. But, we must always remember that the modern courtroom is the same as it has always been, a place for human beings to resolve their differences in a fair setting. Modern law practice requires human emotion, tempered by human rationality. Enjoy the latest episode of the WestWorld fantasy. But, leave your magical thinking at the door. We have real work to do.

If You Grew Up In The Fifties.

Uh, even this graphic is a little outdated. I wear a device on my wrist that has access to all of the cumulative knowledge of mankind, I talk to it, get voice answers, use it to measure my blood oxygen levels, and conduct medical grade ECGs. 

Being The FutureLawyer Is A Tough Job.

It is difficult to be me. Telling the world about the latest evil technology that will take over law practice, and make lawyers obsolete, is not my idea of a good time. And, the fact that my tech futurist bones are telling me that, in the future, Terminator Robots will be roaming the countryside, blowing humans away, is frightening. But, doom and gloom sells, so technologists keep touting the next advance as a necessary progression for the human race and lawyers, specifically. The only problem here is that the natural progression of technology heads to a robot controlled world conclusion. But, don't cry for me, fellow lawyers and citizens. I have a plan to download my consciousness into a robot with an indestructible exoskeleton, and to live forever.

Why There Will Never Be Lawyers Who Are AI Enhanced Robots.

Maybe Robotic Lawyers With AI Engines Aren't A Bad Idea, After All?

I have written before about my doubts that robotic lawyers will replace lawyers in the future. Person to person contact is important to many attorney-client relationships. Many legal problems have an emotional and human component that can't be duplicated in a robot. Yet. However, I have great confidence that AI will enhance human lawyers' ability to practice law. This is already happening, as search engines, data analysis, and prediction engines are already being used by lawyers. But, what if robots become indistinguishable from humans? What if a human looking robot had the knowledge of every legal principle and every previous case in history? What if these future robots could do our jobs for us? What if the Terminator isn't the only possible future of advanced robotics? Sometimes, I am sad to reach the twilight of a long life. I would like to see if that is a possible future.

I, For Me And Mine, Welcome Our New AI Robot Overlords.

(H/T Gyi Tsakalakis) The future of robotics is bright. Combining realistic looking robots with AI technology will spawn a new breed of artificial human. We older humans won't live to see it; but, it is coming, young people. Are you ready?

 

Chess Club - The Game Of Kings In Virtual Space.

Chess For Oculus Quest 2. The very first video game I ever purchased, and for which I drove 50 miles to a store in Tampa, was an early Chess game cassette for the Atari 2600 game machine in the Eighties. I have played Chess all of my life, an addiction begun by my grandfather, and was really interested in how a computer game would allow me to play an imaginary person. I was influenced early on by the Chess playing automatons in literature, and Paul Morphy in particular. My addiction has come full circle now, with the introduction of Chess Club for the Oculus Quest 2, a $15 virtual reality simulation, in which you can reach out and grab the pieces and place them on the board, against a computer opponent, with your choice of classical music in the background. I don't have the time to use my VR glasses a lot; but, I suspect that Chess Club will become one of my favorite pastimes. It is easy to get lost in a game of chess, and the immersive nature of VR will enhance the experience. If you are a chess fanatic, this one game is worth spending $400 on a Quest 2. Movies on a big screen are another. Reality takes a back seat when you put this marvelous technology on your head.

Robots R Us.

The New I Robot. Michael Wade has an interesting take on the advance of robot technology. It ties in to my post about the new virtual reality technology that involves the use of wearable gloves and headgear to imitate the real world. In fact, we need not fear the coming age of super robots that will be stronger, faster and smarter than we are. We need to fear the humans who control them, and the humans who, with enhanced tech, become them. Enhanced humans are going to be dangerous. We will first use them in wars. After that, bad people will use them to do bad things to innocents. Sometime, I am glad that I am old.

Zoom Is Here To Stay - Use Krisp To Make Your Voice The Highlight.

We are all using Zoom all the time. We are doing Motion hearings, consulting with clients and others, and attending Bar Committee meetings online. But, since many of us are working at home, the ambient sounds of our environment can creep in to our audio feed, and create distractions. Nobody wants to hear your dog, or your kids, or the doorbell at your house. Solution? Krisp, and AI program that purports to remove background noise. Hopefully, if it works, everyone will use it.