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Generative AI & Legal Research

A guide for students and faculty on using generative AI for legal research and writing

News & Commentary

The Human Side of AI: LLMs Can Persuade and Be Persuaded, Just Like Us, AI Law Librarians, 4/17/24

When it comes to interacting with others, we humans often find ourselves influenced by persuasion. Whether it’s a friend persistently urging us to reveal a secret or a skilled salesperson convincing us to make a purchase, persuasion can be hard to resist. It’s interesting to note that this susceptibility to influence is not exclusive to humans. Recent studies have shown that AI large language models (LLMs) can be manipulated into generating harmful content...

Which AI should I use? Superpowers and the State of Play, One Useful Thing, 3/18/24

For over a year, GPT-4 was the dominant AI model, clearly much smarter than any of the other LLM systems available. That situation has changed in the last month, there are now three GPT-4 class models, all powering their own chatbots: GPT-4 (accessible through ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft’s CoPilot), Anthropic’s Claude 3 Opus, and Google’s Gemini Advanced.

Artificial Intelligence and Context, AALL Legal Innovation & Technology SIS, 3/8/24

This article explores the importance of context in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. It highlights how AI systems often struggle with understanding context, leading to errors in interpretation and decision-making. The author suggests that improving contextual awareness in AI could enhance its effectiveness and reliability in various fields, especially the legal field.

Does anyone even want an AI search engine?, Fast Company, 2/20/24

Here's why AI search is probably not the killer app Silicon Valley thinks it is.

GenAI Is Not Stupid, But It Is Ignorant, 3 Geeks and Law Blog, 2/20/24

For the entire history of human civilization, the ability to put words together intelligently, whether spoken or written, has indicated an underlying level of understanding and a general level of intelligence of the speaker or writer. The development of Generative AI may be a major milestone in the creation of artificial intelligence, but it also represents the decoupling of language from intelligence.

A Collection of Essays on the Future of AI, Criminal Law Library Blog, 2/12/24

Microsoft has sponsored and published a valuable collection of essays on the future of AI written by a group of experts, with specialties encompassing a broad spectrum—spanning the fields of business, economics, education, engineering, healthcare, history, law, mathematics, medicine, mental health, psychology, and the sciences—to explore the capabilities of GPT-4 before its public release and provide their insightful reflections” on the future of AI.

AI Deployed Nukes 'to Have Peace in the World' in Tense War Simulation, Gizmodo, 2/7/24

The United States military is one of many organizations embracing AI in our modern age, but it may want to pump the brakes a bit. A new study using AI in foreign policy decision-making found how quickly the tech would call for war instead of finding peaceful resolutions. Some AI in the study even launched nuclear warfare with little to no warning, giving strange explanations for doing so.

Surviving AI Information Overload, RIPS Law Librarian Blog, 2/5/24

Are you overwhelmed by the constant onslaught of news about AI? Do you feel like you’re never going to catch up on all the developments? Do you get distracted anytime you see a post, update, email, etc. about AI? You’re not alone.

Generative AI Is All About the Money, Stanford Social Innovation Review, 1/25/24

The brouhaha at OpenAI is just another reminder about Silicon Valley: It’s all about the money. Once OpenAI took hundreds of millions of dollars in for-profit investment funding, the capitalists were going to be in the driver’s seat. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for a community of social innovators under pressure to “do more AI.”

1 in 4 Cos. Ban Generative AI Over Privacy, Data Risks, Law360 Pulse, 1/25/24

Privacy has become a critical element of customer trust, with 94% of organizations saying their customers would not buy from them if they did not protect data properly, according to a new study released Thursday.

Fake Biden robocall telling Democrats not to vote is likely AI-generated deepfake, NBC News, 1/22/24

A recent robocall from a fake President Joe Biden telling New Hampshire residents not to vote was almost certainly created with artificial intelligence, according to disinformation experts and people who study the technology. The state's attorney general's office said the call was probably an effort at voter suppression ahead of Tuesday's primary.

AI Predictions for 2024: A Glimpse into the Future, Criminal Law Library Blog, 1/16/24

The year 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for Artificial Intelligence (AI), with advancements across various sectors and a growing focus on real-world applications. Here are some predictions taken from various sources including my own expressing a variety of opinions as to what we can expect in the near future. 

The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, The Verge, 12/27/23

The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, claiming the two companies built their AI models by “copying and using millions” of the publication’s articles and now “directly compete” with its content as a result.

Who is the better forecaster: humans or generative AI?, London School of Economics and Political Science, 11/9/23

The ability to forecast and predict future events with a degree of accuracy is central to many professional occupations. Utilizing a prediction competition between human and AI forecasters, Philipp Schoenegger and Peter S. Park, assess their relative accuracy and draw out implications for future AI-society relations.

AI in education: where we are and what happens next, Oxford University Press, 10/18/23

This article discusses the current state of AI in education and the future of AI's role in the field. It mentions the use of AI-driven tools like chatbots and intelligent tutors to provide personalized learning experiences and support for students. The article also touches on potential challenges, such as data privacy concerns and ensuring that AI systems are ethically developed and deployed in educational settings. Overall, it highlights the growing impact of AI in education and the need for careful consideration of its implementation.

Schrödinger's AI - Where Everything and Nothing Changes, Slaw, 10/18/23

The article discusses the concept of "Schrodinger's AI," which represents the duality of artificial intelligence in the legal profession. While AI offers the potential to revolutionize legal practice by automating tasks and increasing efficiency, it also raises concerns about job displacement, ethics, and accountability. The article emphasizes that AI's impact on the legal industry is still unfolding and that its consequences are uncertain, leading to a state of ambiguity where everything and nothing changes simultaneously. It calls for a balanced approach to harness the benefits of AI while addressing its challenges and uncertainties.

Worldwide AI ethics: A review of 200 guidelines and recommendations for AI governance, Patterns, 10/13/23

This article explores the potential of AI, particularly generative AI, in revolutionizing the field of law. It discusses various aspects, including the use of AI in legal research, drafting legal documents, and providing accessible legal information. It also touches on the challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI adoption in the legal industry, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

Gartner Says More Than 80% of Enterprises Will Have Used Generative AI APIs or Deployed Generative AI-Enabled Applications by 2026, Gartner, 10/11/23

The Gartner report predicts that by 2026, over 80% of enterprises will have utilized generative AI APIs or integrated generative AI-powered applications into their operations. This indicates a significant and widespread adoption of generative AI technologies across various industries. The report suggests that businesses are recognizing the value of generative AI in improving their processes, decision-making, and customer experiences. The trend highlights the growing importance of AI in driving innovation and efficiency within enterprises.

AI and Scholarly Societies, The Scholarly Kitchen, 10/11/23

This article discusses how AI is reshaping scholarly publishing by improving content creation, peer review, and discoverability. AI tools are assisting researchers and publishers in streamlining their workflows, improving content quality, and enhancing the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly publications. The article also emphasizes the need for scholarly societies to adapt to these technological advancements and leverage AI to stay relevant and competitive in the evolving landscape of academic publishing. 

A complete guide: Conversational AI vs. generative AI, TechTarget, 9/19/23

This article aims to help readers understand the differences between these AI technologies. It provides a comprehensive guide comparing conversational AI and generative AI. It explains that conversational AI is designed for interactive conversations with users, while generative AI focuses on content creation, including text generation. It discusses their applications, use cases, and the underlying technology.

The Best Explanation I've Seen for How Machine Learning WorksThe Scholarly Kitchen, 9/15/23

This article offers an in-depth explanation of how machine learning works, breaking down the complex concepts into easily understandable terms, describing how machine learning algorithms learn from data, make predictions, and improve over time. The article serves as a valuable resource for individuals looking to grasp the fundamentals of machine learning in a simplified manner.