When OpenAI released to the public ChatGPT 3.5, a natural language processing chatbot driven by generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) technology, its ability to analyze and generate human-like responses to user prompts made it obvious that this technology could revolutionize the way we work and access information. Since then, our clients have reached out to us to discuss their, and our, methods of using Gen AI to bring efficiencies to their matters. 
 
We are taking a measured approach. Tools using Gen AI have the potential to build on existing legal technology that incorporates machine learning and natural language processing, technologies we have used for nearly a decade. The promise of being more user-friendly, delivering better and faster results, learning the user’s style and preferences, and analyzing data for trends will better inform legal strategies and deliver legal services more efficiently. However, Gen AI technologies require consideration of issues including accuracy, bias, interpretability and security. As a result, we are carefully managing these concerns as we determine the best way to incorporate Gen AI into our business. 

Testing a range of solutions

PrivateAI

To address the security concerns surrounding public chatbots, in 2023, we invested in a secure platform that allows us to deploy PrivateAI, a smaller, legally trained large language model that can be used with confidential data, including for work with clients and their data, and for our confidential work product. We are one of the very few law firms with this capability. We have sole control over PrivateAI and the data it uses. 

GPT-4 Turbo

In 2023, we enabled our people to use public chatbots, including GPT-4 Turbo, for tasks that do not involve confidential Firm or client information, and to share their feedback with us. We now provide access to GPT-4 Turbo through a Firm interface. Moreover, given the accuracy and security considerations with respect to public chatbots, we have established policies and trainings to ensure that GPT-4 Turbo is used only as a supportive tool, not a primary resource.

Putting GenAI to work for our clients

Our people have used Gen AI for a variety of client tasks. For example, one of our partners asked a team member to edit a lengthy memo analyzing a new regulation using ChatGPT. In mere minutes, ChatGPT transformed the memo into a concise, actionable summary of the impact of the new regulation on the sector. Another partner, who was working on a time-sensitive litigation matter, asked an associate—with client permission—to use ChatGPT first to translate evidentiary text written in a foreign language and then to categorize that information, which ChatGPT did in a few minutes.

These are just two examples of how this new technology can provide a better work product and improve efficiency. The number of tasks that can be assisted by Gen AI is hard to quantify, but the possibilities for leveraging this powerful technology are endless. We believe these tools will transform the way we work in many ways, which is why we have invested in advancing our understanding of Gen AI and enabling its use, albeit in a secure way.

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