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As businesses increasingly adopt AI tools, in-house lawyers are at the forefront of this transformation, exploring innovative ways to leverage technology for efficiency and effectiveness. 

In a recent conversation, Emma Dickin, Head of In-house Practical Guidance Strategy at ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû UK, sits down with Laura Dietschy, Commercial Legal Lead at Palantir Technologies to discuss experiences and strategies for using AI within a legal team, the benefits of using tailored AI approaches such as RAG and practical advice as to how to get started with Generative AI.

Laura begins by addressing a common pitfall in AI adoption: the tendency to purchase point solutions and apply them indiscriminately to business problems. "There's been a mistake that's been made in purchasing point solutions and trying to slap them onto business problems," she observes. Instead, Laura advocates for a more strategic approach, starting with identifying the bespoke challenges faced by the organisation, often related to big data or information overload.

The key, Laura explains, is to clean up relevant data sets and develop use cases that address specific challenges. This method ensures that AI tools are tailored to the organisation's needs, resulting in more accurate and impactful solutions. "The core bit of our approach is using retrieval-augmented generation," she notes, highlighting the importance of integrating AI models with the organisation's information systems for optimal results.

For in-house lawyers embarking on their AI journey, Laura offers practical advice based on her experiences. Recognising the constraints of budget and resources, she emphasises the importance of starting small. "Just do one little thing, one little use case, one task that you can try and see if you can automate it," she suggests. This incremental approach allows legal teams to gradually integrate AI into their workflows, gaining time and efficiency in the process.

Laura also highlights the importance of timing, advising legal professionals to find quieter periods in their work cycle to focus on long-term scaling efforts. "After the quarter starts and things are a bit quieter, I tend to spend a bit more time in my week doing that kind of long-term scaling work," she shares. By dedicating time to AI implementation during less busy periods, legal teams can lay the groundwork for future success.

One of the most exciting aspects of AI integration, according to Laura, is the shift in the role of junior lawyers. Traditionally, junior lawyers were tasked with drafting documents, which were then reviewed by senior colleagues. However, as AI becomes more embedded in organisations, this process is evolving. "The first step of the junior lawyer is going to have to review the draft of the machine and then be able to prompt engineer or give feedback to the machine," Laura explains.

This shift represents a significant change in the skill set required for junior lawyers, who will need to develop expertise in working with AI tools and providing feedback to improve their outputs. Laura views this change as an exciting opportunity for junior lawyers to engage with technology and enhance their roles within legal teams.

Laura's insights underscore the transformative potential of Gen AI for in-house lawyers. By adopting a strategic approach to AI integration, legal teams can address specific challenges, improve efficiency, and support their organisations in navigating the complexities of AI adoption. As the legal profession continues to evolve, the role of AI will become increasingly prominent, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.

In-house lawyers, equipped with the right knowledge and tools, can lead the charge in leveraging AI to drive positive change within their organisations. Laura's experiences serve as a valuable guide for legal professionals seeking to explore the possibilities of Gen AI and its impact on the legal landscape. As AI continues to reshape the legal profession, embracing this technology will be key to staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.