Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been successfully implemented in various fields, ranging from health care to music and even security. Another field that is also beginning to incorporate AI technology is the legal system. From automation to analysis, AI can expedite and optimize the legal process. One of the countries looking into using AI for the legal process is India, as the questions around AI came up during a recent session held by the Indian parliament.
Background: The Benefits of AI in the Law
There are many different benefits that AI can offer the legal system. A large one is document analysis. Because most legal cases include files and files of records and notes, reading through these documents can be time-consuming. An AI program could quickly analyze and sort these documents as needed depending on the case. These AI algorithms can also simplify much of the jargon from the papers for clients, saving lawyers more time. Experts have also suggested that AI could expedite the process of due diligence. Due diligence can take weeks or even months to complete due to the many records and departments that lawyers have to comb through. With an AI assistant, the process is hastened, as the algorithm can fact-check and sort records both quickly and efficiently.
AI algorithms could even help automate divorce proceedings which, on average, cost $15,000 and take a year to form a settlement. One company, Wevorce, is already offering a self-guided solution to save money and time. With their answers, they provide quick connections to legal experts.
Analysis: Will India Adopt AI into Their Legal System?
In a recent budget session of the Indian Parliament, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke up about AI in the legal system. “To explore the use of AI in a judicial domain, the Supreme Court of India has constituted an Artificial Intelligence Committee which has mainly identified application of AI technology in the translation of judicial documents, legal research, and process automation,” Rijiju said. This possible new implementation will fall under two of the government’s projects to create an electronic justice delivery system.
Several of India’s law firms are already implementing AI outside the government walls. One of these firms is Riverus, based in Mumbai and founded by lawyer Dipankar Bandopadhyay. The firm specializes in legal tech, using AI to help with efficiency. “Say you wanted to find the rulings of the court, or a specific judge, or black money-you can use the software to analyze thousands of previous cases and create a ‘judge analytics,'” explained Bandopadhyay. “It’s quicker than having someone actually sit down and prepare a huge Excel sheet, which is too much for one person.” Currently, AI use is restricted to only back-end tasks, but many, like Bandopadhyay are arguing for a broader range of applications.
Outlook: Will AI Create a Faster Legal process?
As Riverus and other firms have demonstrated, AI can help to optimize and streamline the legal process. While AI is not yet given the power to be a judge or jury, it has been shown to be indispensable for many legal cases. With several countries and their court systems heavily backlogged by cases, AI may provide the much-needed solution to help make sure justice is properly delivered.
Kenna Castleberry is a staff writer at the Debrief and the Science Communicator at JILA (a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST). She focuses on deep tech, the metaverse, and quantum technology. You can find more of her work at her website: https://kennacastleberry.com/