Futurelawyer

ChatGPT For Lawyers - Free Email Course From Ernie Svenson.

One of the best tech educators for lawyers is Ernie Svenson. He has a gift for computer training that will help any solo or small firm lawyer become tech competent. He has a new email course on the current rage, ChatGPT, which is rapidly changing the landscape in the practice of law, and in every other human endeavor. If you want an in depth law focused training, you can't do any better. Thanks, Ernie, for doing the grunt work for the rest of us. 

Find My Phone, Please.

Finding your phone when it's turned off - a new Android feature? I have been a fan of Find my phone apps ever since I left mine in a Las Vegas restaurant some years ago. Luckily, I had installed one of the new find my phone apps, Lookout mobile security. When SWMBO and I got back to our hotel, I was frantic. The phone had my life on it, and Las Vegas is not a place where valuables are very safe. Then, I remembered Lookout, and, sitting on the hotel room bed, I powered it up on my laptop. Sure enough, there was my phone, blinking away. It was in the restaurant, and we quickly caught a cab back to the restaurant. Luckily, again, the waiter had taken the phone to the front desk, where a relieved FutureLawyer retrieved it, and vacation was saved. Since that time, Android has incorporated the feature into its phones; but, unless the phone was stolen, it can sit forever in a location never to be found while it is powered down. I have been much better about never leaving the phone lying around; but, a new feature planned for Android will soon be able to locate the phone even if turned off. Of course, this will ruin the plot of many TV shows and movies, because the plot line will no longer be able to rely on the "criminal just turned on the phone" gambit. Oh well. Get creative, TV writers. 

Kevin O'Keefe Explains Generative AI.

Okay children, I have been talking about ChatGPT a lot lately, "generative AI" for the computer scientists among you. Okay, none of us are computer scientists; but this description of generative AI by my mentor, Kevin O'Keefe, is a clear and concise as you will find. You need to understand this stuff. This truly is the next great advance in computer technology, and its reverberations will be felt until every one of us is dead, and long after. We are on the cusp of an era of truly intelligent machines, which promises to change the way we work, the way we live our lives, and the way we describe our futures. Learn this stuff. Use it. Play with it. It is fundamental.

 

ChatGPT-4 Is Here. Think Artificial Intelligence On Steroids.

Open AI Releases ChatGPT-4. AS a subscriber to ChatGPT Plus, I am now rocking Version 4, which is far more comprehensive, intelligent and responsive that the previous version. Generative AI is becoming more "human" all the time. I am very excited about putting it through its paces. I also think that there are a lot of developers and companies trying to figure out how this new technology can power their software in the future. It is only a matter of time until AI is indistinguishable from the smartest human being on the planet. Of course, the systems will never be anything but human mimics that create human like conversations and information. The system will never convincingly duplicate human wit, poetic sensibility, and judgment. And, no, Virginia, Terminator robots will not walk the planet killing humans. At least, I don't think so. I could be wrong. Version 4 makes the same mistakes Version 3 made when I asked if it knew me. So, ChatGPT and other AI results will still have to be carefully edited by humans before being used. But, this thing can save hours and hours of human research and writing. Science fiction is becoming Science fact.

 

Sorry, Google. There's A New Sheriff In Town.

Google and the other Internet search engines are scrambling these days. I am certain that they have been working on adding generative AI to their search capabilities for some years; but, the explosive nature of the recent beta opening of ChatGPT has every AI developer in a tizzy. It's like a new Gold rush. Everyone is rushing to catch up. Somehow, simple Google search results, that require choosing a website from a list, and opening it, and searching for relevant information, seems caveman like. It feels like it did when we graduated from text line searching in the early days to web browsers that created lists of resources, and, then again, when web browsers went graphical. The march of technology waits for no one. Google is now rushing to add AI to its search results. I will certainly try it out; but, for now, ChatGPT has become the first place I go when I want instant results. 

Efax Messenger App - Your Computer Is Your Fax Machine.

Efax Messenger. Remember Fax machines? The rush of technology advances has made many recent tech apps obsolete quickly. I can remember the early fax machines, which were cumbersome behemoths as large as a typewriter. You remember typewriters, don't you? The fax machine required a separate phone line at the office, and you had to travel from your office to the machine, and wait for the print out. I suspect that there are still offices using these things. But, these days, most of us have a fax app; and the granddaddy of computer based faxing is the Efax app. EFax Messenger is a free app that allows users to send and receive faxes via email or computer. The app is designed to simplify the process of faxing by eliminating the need for a traditional fax machine and phone line. With EFax Messenger, users can send faxes directly from their computer or mobile device, without having to print out documents and physically send them. The app supports a variety of file types, including PDF, DOC, and JPG, and allows users to add electronic signatures to their faxes. EFax Messenger also includes features such as a searchable inbox and the ability to track the status of sent faxes. Overall, EFax Messenger is a convenient and efficient way to send and receive faxes in a digital age. I love the fact that it sits, as an icon, in my app tray, and I can call it up at any time. For around $20 a month, I get a dedicated phone number, and can send and receive faxes without moving from my chair. Brave new world. How are you faxing?

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? 

 

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.

 

StarLink For RVs Is Getting More Expensive, And It Is Worth It.

Starlink RV. Starlink RV service is pricey, at $135 a month, and it is getting more expensive. In April, Space X is increasing the monthly cost to $150 a month. Elon Musk is trying to keep the service going, and I, for one, don't object to the price. Yes, it is a lot. But, having broad band Internet just about anywhere my RV travels, is worth it. I hope that Musk can keep the satellites increasing, and the service going, because, in the long run, it holds the promise of true worldwide broadband Internet for every human. Every time I see someone criticize Musk or the service, I wonder about how entitled we are in the first world. We complain about service in just about everything, when we should be living with wonder at the vision of technology, and its promise. And, we should be thanking the risk takers, like Musk, for their courage and vision.