News & Updates from RAILS
May 3, 2024
🎟️ Free Conference Opportunity
RAILS participants, are you interested in attending Artificial Lawyer’s upcoming Legal Innovators event, June 4-5 in San Francisco?
The first ten in-house legal professionals and law firm professionals to use the code RAILS10 will get free all-access tickets. Please note that this code is not valid for vendors (including legal tech solution providers or consultancies).
🗞️ AI News & Research
An April 2024 Washington state ruling underscores the challenges that arise when AI, such as video enhancers that can alter resolution and other visual properties, is used in the judicial process, especially after recent Federal Rules of Civil Procedure amendments emphasizing evidence reliability.
“Glass Box” vs “Black Box” of AI: Duke faculty Brandon L. Garrett and Cynthia Rudin examine the profound implications of using “black box” artificial intelligence (AI) systems in criminal justice, from risk assessments to facial recognition, and highlight the need for transparency and regulation.
The White House has provided a comprehensive summary of the key actions taken in the 180 days following President Biden's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
AI use cases in the federal government are available on AI.gov
🏛️ AI in Access to Legal Services
Authors Colleen V. Chien and Miriam Kim explore the integration of generative AI tools in legal aid services through a field trial with 202 legal aid professionals who used AI tools like ChatGPT-4, Gavel, and Co-Counsel. They found that these tools significantly boost productivity and are well-received, particularly when introduced with support services.
Authors Joseph J. Avery, Patricia Sánchez Abril, and Alissa del Riego argue for a redefinition of UPL regulations, suggesting a shift from traditional prohibitions towards a regulatory framework that acknowledges and integrates AI capabilities in legal practices responsibly. This approach aims to balance the protection of public interest with the potential for increased access to legal services via AI, while also addressing concerns related to free speech, antitrust, and occupational licensing.
Two paralegals in North Carolina amended their lawsuit for the limited right to practice law. This lawsuit may have implications for the way that courts handle artificial intelligence tools in legal practice.
📣 Professional Spotlight
Meet Emma Kotfika, Duke Law ‘24, Research Assistant with RAILS.
“Before coming to law school, I worked in financial data and analytics consulting, which got me interested in the technology space. Through working at RAILS, I have learned about how legal professionals are implementing AI in their work and the ways that AI can be leveraged to provide better, more equitable legal services. I hope that the tool I have created will help law students and legal professionals think critically about AI news sources and better understand how to use unconventional sources. I am about to graduate from Duke Law and will be working at Hogan Lovells in Washington, DC.”
📋 RAILS Projects
We now have a resource to help folks who are new to AI thoughtfully evaluate AI news.
We’re compiling a list of in-person conferences related to law and AI. Suggest additions or changes to our initial draft by emailing us at rails@law.duke.edu.