As businesses increasingly integrate AI tools, in-house legal teams are uniquely positioned to guide their organisations through this transformation.
In a recent discussion, Emma Dickin, Head of In-house Practical Guidance Strategy at ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû UK, interviews Temitayo (Ty) Ogunade, Contracts Manager at GWI, who shares insights on developing AI policies, data handling guardrails, using AI tools to streamline tasks.
Our recent survey of in-house legal practitioners found:
Ty begins by acknowledging the burgeoning interest in AI within the legal profession and the broader organisation. "There's definitely a lot of interest in our organisation and the legal profession in general about how we can help implement AI tools," Ty notes. This interest stems from a desire to not only enhance the efficiency of legal work but also to keep pace with the industries in which in-house lawyers operate. As Ty aptly puts it, "We don't want to be left behind."
The legal profession, traditionally seen as conservative, is now recognising the need to evolve alongside technological advancements. In-house lawyers, in particular, are keen to explore how AI can be leveraged to improve their roles and contribute to the organisation's success.
As businesses begin to integrate Gen AI more widely, the role of the legal team becomes crucial in ensuring proper usage and mitigating risks. Ty emphasises the importance of setting an AI policy and educating the business about potential risks. "The main concern for us is around proper usage of AI tools," Ty explains. This includes addressing issues related to personal data and client information being inputted into AI tools like ChatGPT.
Legal teams are tasked with ensuring that sensitive information is not used to train AI models, which could compromise confidentiality. Ty highlights the importance of vigilance, especially when working on contracts, to prevent unintended data exposure. "Making sure that the information we're putting into ChatGPT, for example, isn't being used to train it," Ty advises.
Beyond risk management, Ty shares examples of how AI is currently being utilised within their legal team. One innovative use case involves developing a chatbot in Slack to address frequently asked questions. "We've been working on kind of training chatbots that can be installed into Slack to help other stakeholders in the business," Ty reveals. This initiative not only improves efficiency for the legal team but also empowers the business to self-serve, reducing wait times for responses.
Looking ahead, Ty expresses interest in exploring additional AI applications, such as contract management and legal research. These areas hold significant potential for streamlining processes and enhancing productivity within legal teams.
As the conversation draws to a close, Ty offers words of wisdom for in-house lawyers considering the adoption of Gen AI. "I think we shouldn't be scared about AI; we should embrace it as a tool to help us," Ty advises. By viewing AI as an assistant or a virtual paralegal, legal professionals can harness its capabilities to augment their work.
Ty's perspective underscores the importance of maintaining an open mind and recognising AI as a valuable tool rather than a threat. By doing so, in-house lawyers can make the best use of AI to enhance their roles and contribute to their organisations' success.
The insights shared by Ty highlight the transformative potential of Gen AI for in-house lawyers. By embracing AI as a tool, legal teams can improve efficiency, manage risks, and support their organisations in navigating the complexities of AI integration. As the legal profession continues to evolve, the role of AI will undoubtedly become more 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. Ty'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.
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