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As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it’s becoming an essential tool in the legal profession.
But as highlighted in our most recent “Legal AI 101: What AI Can and Can’t Do for Your Practice Now” webinar, understanding AI’s true capabilities — and its limitations — is crucial for leveraging its full potential in legal practice.
Hosted by Michael Grupp, CEO and Founder of BRYTER, and Max Paterson, Managing Director – US at BRYTER, the session delved into the essential functions AI can perform in a legal setting, how to identify the right use cases, and the common misconceptions surrounding AI’s abilities.
Here’s a summary of the key points discussed.
Setting the stage: the evolution of AI in Legal Practice
Max Paterson kicked off the session by tracing the journey of AI in the legal industry over the past decade. He explained how AI has moved from being an overhyped technology to a practical and powerful tool that legal professionals can no longer afford to ignore.
“AI is no longer just a buzzword,” Paterson noted. “It’s now a critical asset that can significantly enhance the way legal services are delivered.”
Michael Grupp provided further context by revisiting the first wave of AI hype around 2016, which centered on text review and extraction tools.
“Back then, we saw AI’s potential, but it was clear that the industry wasn’t fully prepared to harness it,” Grupp recalled. “Today, with the advent of generative AI models like ChatGPT, we’re seeing a dramatic shift in how legal professionals approach technology. The key now is to separate the hype from the reality and focus on what AI can genuinely deliver.”
Pain points and the shift in Legal Operations
A central theme of the webinar was the importance of identifying real pain points within legal operations before implementing AI solutions.
Both speakers emphasized that while AI can perform a variety of tasks, its true value lies in addressing specific inefficiencies. Grupp noted that ten years ago, the conversation around AI often stalled because law firms didn’t feel an urgent need to improve efficiencies.
“The observation in the market was that AI is cool and great, but we are not all equally convinced that we actually have a problem with efficiencies,” he explained.
However, as Paterson pointed out, the landscape has shifted significantly.
“Today, the rise of legal operations teams and the growing emphasis on streamlined processes have made it easier for firms to identify where AI can provide tangible benefits,” he said. “There’s now a greater awareness that operational improvements are essential for maintaining a competitive edge.”
Time to value: the real game-changer
One of the most significant advancements in AI over the past decade, according to Grupp, is the reduction in time to value. In the past, deploying AI required significant investment in data preparation, model training, and ongoing maintenance.
“You used to hear jokes like, ‘If you’re talking about AI, you’re using PowerPoint, but if you’re talking about machine learning, you’re using Python,’” Grupp quipped. “It was a nod to how much effort went into making AI work. Today, with pre-trained models, the time and resources needed to implement AI have come down significantly. This is a real game-changer.”
Paterson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the shorter time to value allows firms to move beyond the initial fascination with AI and focus on practical applications.
“The rapid deployment and immediate impact of AI solutions have made them more accessible and valuable to legal professionals,” Paterson said. “This reduction in time to value is a game-changer for firms of all sizes.”
Demonstrating the power of AI: BRYTER Extract Agent
The webinar’s highlight was Grupp’s live demonstration of BRYTER’s new Extract Agent tool. Designed to automate the review, analysis, and extraction of information from legal documents, the Extract Agent exemplifies how AI can streamline traditionally labor-intensive processes.
“We’re an automation company at BRYTER,” Grupp explained. “We automate things, ideally mundane, complicated, manual processes that are costly and turn them into streamlined, fast, and digital processes.”
Using the example of lease agreements, Grupp showed how users could upload multiple contracts, query specific clauses, and receive precise answers within seconds. The tool not only identifies relevant clauses but also provides references within the document for quick validation.
“In the old days, this is where you’d now start to work with fields and pre-trained data models. Today, we can streamline this and accelerate it,” Grupp demonstrated.
What sets the Extract Agent apart is its integration with BRYTER’s automation platform. After extracting and reviewing information, users can seamlessly generate reports, draft letters, or trigger further workflows—all within the same system.
“We didn’t want to stop at just extraction,” Grupp said. “The real value comes from being able to act on that information immediately, without having to leave the platform.”
Broader applications and the future of AI in Legal Practice
The demonstration sparked questions about the broader applications of the Extract Agent and AI in general.
Attendees inquired about using the tool for various document types, such as M&A documents and claims, and whether it could handle non-English languages and poorly scanned documents. Grupp confirmed that the Extract Agent is versatile enough to handle different document types and languages, making it a valuable tool for various legal scenarios.
Paterson and Grupp also discussed the future of AI in the legal industry, particularly the convergence of rule-based systems and AI.
Key takeaways
The “Legal AI 101” webinar provided a clear-eyed view of what AI can realistically achieve in today’s legal landscape. Key takeaways included:
- AI Must Solve Real Problems: Successful AI integration begins with identifying genuine pain points. AI should be seen as a tool to address specific inefficiencies rather than a solution in search of a problem.
- Time to Value is Crucial: The rapid deployment and immediate impact of AI solutions have made them more accessible and valuable to legal professionals. This reduction in time to value is a game-changer for firms of all sizes.
- Automation and AI Go Hand-in-Hand: Tools like BRYTER’s Extract Agent demonstrate that AI’s true power lies in its ability to automate end-to-end processes, from document review to workflow management.
- Versatility and Accessibility: Modern AI tools are versatile and capable of handling various document types and languages. This democratization of AI technology means that even smaller firms can now benefit from advanced AI capabilities.
Looking ahead
As the webinar concluded, attendees were left with a clear understanding of AI’s current capabilities and its potential to transform legal practice.
The session served as a reminder that while AI is an incredibly powerful tool, its success depends on thoughtful implementation and a focus on solving real-world problems. With tools like BRYTER’s Extract Agent, legal professionals are well-equipped to harness AI’s power and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry.
For those eager to explore these capabilities further, BRYTER offers trial licenses to test the Extract Agent. As AI continues to evolve, staying informed and experimenting with these technologies will be key to unlocking their full potential in legal practice.
Click here to sign up for a Extract Agent Trial
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