Futurelawyer

A New Blog By Kevin O'Keefe - AI In Publishing.

AIInPublishing. Kevin O'Keefe, the Godfather of blogging, has a new blog about the use of generative AI in blogging and other professions that deserves attention. Kevin introduced the FutureLawyer to blogging in 2005, and has been a leading light in technology for many years. He has recognized, along with the rest of us who have been around a long time, that ChatGPT from Open AI, and its competitors, including the heavyweights, such as Microsoft and Google and Amazon, that this will be a sea change in the way humans interact with computers and the Internet. In his words:

"AI is a tool, no different than a PC marking the advance from typewriters, which marked the advance from pen and a paper. Perhaps just a more uncomfortable advance."

But, oh, what a tool it is, and will become. The human like responses from a computer interface will change the way we interact with computers; and already is. I have added a step to my computer research in many areas. I am able to judge the responses; just as I would a very smart human colleague. I can amplify, direct, seek additional facts, make corrections, and otherwise act as an author/editor, before I put my final touches on a blog post, or article, or pleading, or list of questions or issues. Publishers of all kinds will find their work enhanced by these very intelligent computer assistants. In future decades, this advance will be looked upon as a natural successor to the beginnings of the creation of an alphabet. I plan to follow Kevin's blog. Will you?

Could The FutureLawyer Blog Be Written By An Artificial Intelligence Bot?

I have been posting a lot lately about ChatGPT, the generative AI bot from Open AI, which, simply stated, is an intelligent computer that can create competent content from its huge database of previous content. It knows a lot, and, for fun, I asked it a simple question. Can you write a blog post for the FutureLawyer blog? While pretty bland, I could probably have passed its answer off as a blog post, without anyone being the wiser. Of course, it lacks my wit, charm and conversational skill (he said, smiling). But, here is what it wrote:

"As the world becomes more and more digitized, the legal profession is no exception. The practice of law is undergoing a transformation, with technology playing a crucial role in shaping its future. From online legal research to cloud-based document management systems, technology is enabling lawyers to work more efficiently and effectively.

One of the most significant ways that technology is changing the legal profession is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to revolutionize the way lawyers work, from streamlining document review to predicting legal outcomes. In fact, some experts predict that AI will soon become a necessary tool for all lawyers.

One area where AI is already being used is in legal research. With the vast amount of legal information available online, it can be challenging for lawyers to find the information they need quickly and efficiently. AI-powered research tools can help lawyers quickly identify relevant cases and statutes, saving them time and increasing their productivity.

Another way that AI is being used in the legal profession is through the use of predictive analytics. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI can help lawyers predict the outcome of legal disputes with a high degree of accuracy. This can be especially useful in litigation, where the outcome of a case can hinge on a few key factors.

But AI is not without its challenges. One of the biggest concerns is the potential for bias in the algorithms used by AI systems. For example, if an AI system is trained on data that is biased against certain groups, it may perpetuate that bias in its predictions. To avoid this, it's important for lawyers to be aware of the potential for bias and to take steps to mitigate it.

Another challenge is the ethical considerations around the use of AI in the legal profession. For example, if an AI system is used to predict the outcome of a case, should that system be transparent about how it arrived at its prediction? Should lawyers be required to disclose that they used an AI system in making their arguments? These are all questions that lawyers and legal professionals will need to grapple with as AI becomes more prevalent in the legal profession.

Despite these challenges, the future of law is likely to be heavily influenced by AI. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, it will become an essential tool for lawyers looking to work more efficiently and effectively. By staying up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and being aware of the potential challenges and ethical considerations, lawyers can prepare themselves for the future of law."

Hmmmm. Is the FutureLawyer going to become obsolete? 

 

RV Lawyering - The Next FutureLawyer Book Is On The Way.

I am putting the finishing touches on the remote lawyering book, and I hope every one of you buys a copy. Not really. I may just give it away. Not. But, I will share the last paragraph, which should give you an idea of the theme. I discuss, in some detail, many of the gadgets, devices, and software applications that am using these days to be able to be a lawyer wherever I happen to be. Driving around Florida in an RV is a great way to see the beauty of our State in my declining years. I have come a long way from the days of being tied to a desk and a physical office location. 

"The current debate about the use of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence bots in many industries is no different in general than the debates over the use of technology in law practice that I have lived with since my first computer in the 1980s. Every new development is resisted by lawyers afraid of change, and arguing that the future of lawyers is dim. But, 50 years later, here I am, still going to work every day, and using my experience and judgment to assist other humans with legal problems and tasks. I just do it better than I used to do it, armed with new technology. Dictating into a cassette recording, typing documents on typewriters, using handheld telephones, sending documents over fax machines, creating my own documents on a computer, which keep getting smaller, thinner and lighter, sending documents and pleadings to courthouses over telephone and data lines, and doing research by typing a query into a computer that has access to all of human knowledge; all these are just tools to be used. What is human about us will always be human. Our experiences and abilities can be enhanced by technology. They cannot ever be replaced. Now, get out there and help another human with their legal problems."

 

Does ChatGPT Produce Quality Legal Briefs?

Does ChatGPT Produce Fishy Briefs? When I saw this ABA article on ChatGPT, and whether it could be used to create passable appellate briefs, the first thing I thought of was the NRA ad: "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". The ad was promulgated in support of some who were fighting gun control legislation, and the theme was that guns are tools. It is human beings who use them, for good or ill. In fact, ChatGPT can create the structure of a brief quickly, and can get basics into the text; but, it is the lawyer who applied his or her knowledge and writing ability to create a polished product. No, Virginia, ChatGPT doesn't produce legal briefs, lawyers produce appellate briefs. ChatGPT is a way to put a lot of extraneous language into passable form, and the lawyer then can use it as a base to create something that may or may not be described as "quality". To add to the poor comparison, asking ChatGPT to support the proposition that fish are not bees is begging for a product that is simplistic and ridiculous. What the future WILL bring is a generative AI that can quickly put much knowledge and data on paper, giving the lawyer more time to create something that IS of high quality. Wait and see. No, ChatGPT doesn't create appellate briefs. Lawyers create appellate briefs.

Pay Attention, Lawyers And Everyone. The AI Wars Have Begun.

Are you paying attention? The AI Wars have leapt into our consciousness this past month, and it will only get messier from here on. AI in a conversational computer is a game changer for Internet search, and the two biggest players, Microsoft and Google, have been duking it out for some time. The real beginnings were in 2017; but, the admission of the rest of us late in 2022, has exploded in the past month. You must get familiar with this stuff. It is already changing the way I use the Internet. I chose ChatGPT, from OpenAI, which has a basic, non judgmental model available for $20 a month, which is already saving me a lot of research time with fact finding and data retrieval. I can take its results, and make it mine, by applying my skills and knowledge and writing ability to its results. Microsoft has incorporated a more advanced version into Bing; but, its model has an attitude problem. According to Microsoft, that is because its language model is more sophisticated; but, I prefer just the facts, Ma'am, and ChatGPT, although it seems to have a left leaning political bent, is working for me so far. Google is late to the game, and its version, awkwardly nicknamed "Bard" is typical of Google. I predict Google will advance quickly, as it has the deepest bench, and has led Internet research for a long time. But, you need to educate yourself, no matter who you are. If you are a lawyer, this is essential knowledge if you intend to practice law in the future. Watch this short video, and then scour everything you can find on generative AI. You heard it here. Now, do something about it.

 

I Asked ChatGPT If It Was Familiar With My Poetry.

Okay, now I am a believer. If ChatGPT knows about a minor poet like me, it must know everything. Very cool. This is the answer I got to my question about Rick Georges, Poet:

" As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or experiences, but I can tell you that Rick Georges, also known as the FutureLawyer, is a writer and blogger who has published several books, including the two you mentioned.

"Poems for Lovers" is a collection of romantic poetry that explores the many aspects of love, from its passionate beginnings to its bittersweet end. The book contains poems that express the author's emotions and experiences, as well as those of other lovers throughout history.

"Life is Simple, Really" is a book that examines the complexities of life and offers insights on how to simplify it. The author shares his personal philosophy and provides practical advice on how to live a more fulfilling life. The book covers various topics, including relationships, work, happiness, and spirituality.

I hope this information is helpful."

I Asked ChatGPT How It Could Help Me. Here's The Answer.

Chat GPT. Everyone is worried about the implications of AI chatbots; but, my view is that they will enhance the practice of law, and many other professions. I asked ChatGPT how it could help me, as a practicing lawyer, and I got a cogent response that is quite accurate:

"As a language model, I can assist you with various tasks related to language and information. Here are some ways I can help you as a practicing lawyer:

1. Legal research: I can help you find relevant case law, statutes, and legal articles on a specific topic or issue.

2. Writing and drafting: I can assist you in writing legal documents, such as briefs, memos, and contracts, by providing suggestions on sentence structure, grammar, and legal terminology.

3. Proofreading and editing: I can help you proofread and edit your legal documents to ensure they are free of errors, such as spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

4. Fact-checking: I can help you verify the accuracy of the facts and information presented in your legal documents.

5. Translation: If you need to translate legal documents from one language to another, I can provide assistance with translation and suggest appropriate legal terminology.

Please let me know how I can assist you further."

It occurs to me that AI can become a starting point for the things I do as a lawyer. Legal research, drafting documents, fact checking, and translation. It feels like the early days of document and word processing. Create a base document with a computer, and then apply your legal skills to improve it, and make it yours. This is going to save a lot of lawyers a lot of time and effort. But, it won't replace the legal judgment honed from decades of experience with real people. What do you think?

Am I A Robot, Or Do I Just Identify As One?

With all the hoopla over Artificial Intelligence Bots lately, it might occur to some that there are many sexes with which they might identify. How about dual species? If I took ChatGPT's AI brain, and put it into my head, would I be able to self-identify as a robot? Why is robot confined to plastic and metal parts? Why can't I be a robot? Hey, biological men can get pregnant, can't they?

You Too Can Be An Artist.

This image is how AI sees the FutureLawyer. I created this painting, and I didn't touch a brush, real or digital. I merely chose words with reference to an image. If AI can replace legal research, it can also replace artists. Can we ever be certain that a human created anything? In the future, how will we distinguish between the things that computer creates, and those that are human? Will humans become a combination life form, with both human and digital parts? 

AI Generated Art From FutureLawyer Image.

This image was created from the FutureLawyer logo. I like the robotic vibe, with a spark of insight represented by the bright sun. Will FutureLawyer become an indestructible future man, while keeping the soul of a poet in an armored exterior? Stay tuned.