Futurelawyer

Facial Recognition Tech - Should It Be Banned?

Facial Recognition Ban Proposed. Is facial recognition tech so dangerous to privacy rights that police should be banned from using it? A bill has been filed in the Senate proposing just that. As tech advances, the push and pull between legitimate societal needs for law enforcement, and individual rights to privacy, continue to be tested. It is highly unlikely that any advanced tech will be forever banned, however. The regulation of such technology will be the field we play on in the future. This bill doesn't have much of a future; but, it is certainly a starting point for a societal discussion of how to regulate the tech in the future. What do you think?

#WhyIAmASolo - Most Of What I Do Will Never Be Automated

Automating The Law. This article alleges that experts say the 23% of law practice is automated, and that the portion is increasing. Let's say this is true. A solo law practitioner does many things that automation will never do. While computers have been automating some lawyer tasks for some years now, the major advantage of tech has been to level the playing field among lawyers. You no longer have to be in BigLaw to have access to the power of computer database access to analysis and knowledge. In fact, the speed of tech development is probably much better leveraged by the lean solo practitioner who can make decisions without going to a committee. A computer can't sit patiently while a human client experiencing a traumatic legal event pours out their heart to a human person who is patient, kind and understanding. A computer can't shake your hand, greet you at the office door, and introduce you to the stress relieving aviary next to the waiting room, filled with parrots who squawk and talk and generally create a loud environment. In fact, even if a computer can assist the lawyer in creating a legal document or contract, it can't make judgment decisions about what the contract or document does or does not do. At least, the judgments require a human decision somewhere along the line. So, automate away, we lawyers will be here to guide and counsel you. As long, of course, as you pay the bill. 

Will All The Sentient Robots Please Leave The Courtroom

Robots In The Courtroom. This piece by Nikki Black hits the nail on the head. Yes, AI is becoming important in the legal field. No, there aren't going to be robot lawyers. The only robots in the courtroom will be the ones that are deployed to provide cleaning services and security at night; or, perhaps, security outside of courtrooms. Artificial intelligence will be inside the human lawyers' computers, however, and will play an increasing role in analyzing data and suggesting conclusions. If you want to worry about something, worry about something that is happening today.

#CES2020 - Gatebox Shows Off Its Answer To Amazon Echo

Japan, Anime, and Tech is quite a combination. Gatebox is showing off a smart speaker assistant at CES which doubles as a cute friend. Do we want out computer assistants to have a face AND a voice? 

AI In Law - Remember Your History

AI Will Transform The Field Of Law. While it is highly unlikely that there will be robot lawyers walking around wearing suits and carrying briefcases and arguing motions and trials, it is already the case that computer based artificial intelligence engines are mining and analyzing vast amounts of case law, statutory law, and legal journals in order to assist human lawyers in performing their functions. The author of this article hits the nail upon the head when he argues that law practice is uniquely suited to AI assistance. As he says: "This logic-oriented methodology is exactly the type of activity to which machine intelligence can fruitfully be applied". In other words, computers mine and analyze data sets that the human brain cannot; but, that analysis is exactly what lawyers need to make better judgments. So, we may never have robot overlords; but, we will all have the data analysis we need to do a better job. Be lawyerly out there.

Why There Won't Ever Be Robot Lawyers

Do you really want to live in a world in which lawyers reproduce at will, and without partners? 

The Game Of Kings - AI Version

Amazon.com: Square Off Chess Set - an Electronic Chessboard, which Moves The Opponent's Wooden Chess Pieces on its Own. Kids or Adults can Play Against The AI or Any Online Chess Player Across The Globe.: Toys & Games. Well, as is the way, the best gifts are those you buy yourself. This year, I purchased an Artificial Intelligence powered chess set that uses classic Staunton wood pieces, and moves them by itself. You might remember Charlton Heston in "Soylent Green" playing chess with a bust of Napoleon. I might use a bust of Marcus Aurelius; and, my chess set will move its own pieces. AI finally does something worth doing. Pawn to King Four. Your move.

Quantum Supremacy - Not The Next Jason Bourne Movie

Google Confirms Achieving Quantum Supremacy.  Google claims that its Quantum computer has achieved quantum supremacy; that is, it solved a problem in 200 seconds that it would take a classical supercomputer 10,000 years. In effect, quantum supremacy is proving quantum computers can solve problems that no supercomputer can. But, the problem was designed for the test, and some say true supremacy can't be proved. The future (not in our lifetimes) does seem to depend on the development of these machines, however, and it is fun to speculate. Now, what will be the name of the next Jason Bourne movie?

Beware The #RobotLawyer? I Don't Think So. Beware The Robot Masters.

Beware The #RobotLawyer Invasion | Above the Law. Nicole Black is always welcoming the coming Robot overlords.She is certain that it will stand her in good stead. However, I must opine that future robots will probably not replace human beings; but, will be artificial intelligences locked in large computer rooms, and will only be roaming around on electrical cables. While AI will increasingly be used to increase human access to the knowledge required to practice law, and data analytics will be done by machines, the human interaction between lawyer and client will remain a largely human endeavor. Witness Smartphones, and social media. We may use our machines to communicate; but, we are still communicating with fellow humans. So, relax, Nicole. You will be safe from the robots. It is their human masters you need to fear.

Stalkerware - Computer Security Isn't Just About Data

For Cybersecurity and Domestic Violence Awareness months, we pledge to fight stalkerware - Malwarebytes Labs | Malwarebytes Labs. In the age of the Internet, email and social media, person on person domestic violence isn't the only way in which humans prey upon each other. The Internet is a fertile field for stalkers who are experienced with computers. Keyloggers, and other stalkerware software can create scary invasions of privacy by notifying the stalker of a user's location, activities, and personal actions. Of course, we need to do a much better job of not filling social media with our every move and making our lives too public; but, the real danger is a motivated stalker who can plant software on our computers, with with physical access to them, or over the Internet. My favorite cybersecurity software, Malwarebytes Premium, is a great defense to computer stalkers, and it should be installed on every computer you own. In addition to preventing stalker activity, it can serve to prove the identity and actions of the stalker in litigation. What are you protecting yourself with?