Page 138 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2024

processing, and as it has evolved, these platforms become more secure and convenient. Platforms now
exist that allow lawyers to collect e-signatures, enter into click-wrap agreements, and obtain browse-wrap
consent at once to ensure that lawyers have everything they need to enter contracts quickly and simply.

Another technology that has been beneficial in the legal industry is cloud platforms, which allow legal
teams to collaborate remotely and ensure consistent accessibility. With the help of this technology,
lawyers can access essential documentation on demand and expand teams around the world.

The advantages that technological evolutions like this provide to clients are tremendous, as clients can
now effectively have more people working for them to help win their cases. Advanced cybersecurity
measures allow these platforms to remain secure by transmitting information and documents in ways that
protect clients’ sensitive and confidential data.

Artificial intelligence technology in the legal sector

However, perhaps the most important paradigm shift we see in the legal sector, like virtually every
industry, is the recent widespread embracing of artificial intelligence (AI). Although the law field is often
seen as fundamentally “human,” many day-to-day tasks that were once left to humans can now be
automated and streamlined using AI. For example, many lawyers have seen success in applying AI
technology to their case research and analysis processes, allowing them to spend more time on what
matters most: working for their clients.

Technology like this has the exciting potential to fundamentally change how lawyers complete their duties
— particularly the more monotonous aspects of their jobs. In some use cases, AI models could
significantly improve the speed, efficiency, and accuracy with which lawyers complete tasks. For
example, in the legal review process, an AI model can be trained to scan for differences in two contract
drafts, alerting lawyers to language that may require specific attention and review.

Nevertheless, an element of humanity must be maintained in the legal sector when using advanced tools
like AI. Artificial intelligence is still a relatively new technology and, like any fledgling technology, is often
flawed and prone to make mistakes. Thus, it is essential to have a skilled human lawyer review any of
the work completed by an AI platform. After all, lawyers regularly handle sensitive, confidential
information and make decisions that alter the course of lives. Putting these processes into the hands of
an artificial intelligence model without human oversight is incredibly dangerous and could potentially lead
to drastic consequences.

As such, lawyers must also adopt responsible ethical practices regarding data security in artificial
intelligence, as many AI algorithms use the data it is fed by users as part of their training process.
Especially when dealing with sensitive or confidential information, lawyers must be intimately familiar with
all terms of use and privacy policies for the platforms they use to understand how their data (and their
clients’ data) is being collected, stored, and used. Furthermore, it is necessary to implement strict access
control policies to ensure that unwanted parties cannot access the data in these programs.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – June 2024 Edition 138
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