Futurelawyer

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?

Is Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact?

When I downloaded and tested ChatGPT I was immediately reminded of the Librarian character in the 2002 movie adaptation of The Time Machine, in which the lead character has a colloquy about time travel with a future librarian. It is eerily similar to ChatGPT, the AI which is prompting a lot of interest lately. ChatGPT responds to questions about anything with human like responses and an unlimited (or so it seems) access to all human knowledge. All we have to do now is give ChatGPT a human like avatar interface. Like the medical devices in StarTrek that have been realized in the sensors in Smartwatches and other modern medical devices, if we can dream it, we can do it. I love this video sequence. As I watch it, I remember that my interest in science fiction as a youngster sparked my interest in legal tech after I became a lawyer. ChatGPT can already be used to enhance a lawyer's decisions and legal research. I love this stuff.

 

Why There Won't Be A Robot Lawyer In Our Lifetimes...And Maybe Never.

Robots Behaving Badly. AI has a wonderful ability to mimic human thought; but, it will never actually compare to human thought. So, while AI will enhance human lawyers' ability to draw conclusions, and measure probabilities, and make arguments, robots will never be able to match human judgment. Human imperfections are what makes us human. Our social, legal and other interactions with other humans is not a scientific equation, or a massing of all human knowledge. In any event, robot lawyers will never grace a courtroom in our lifetimes.

 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Worry About An AI Taking My Job.

While AI can enhance a human lawyer's ability to make judgments and do her job better, it is also true that humans will never trust justice or advice coming from an AI. And, solo lawyers will never have to worry about managers asking them to train an AI to do their job. Solos may not make a lot of money; but, we still have a job.

 

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.

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.

Rick's Newsletter - Law, Technology, Poetry, Computers, And Fun.