P2P

10 P E E R T O P E E R : I L T A ' S Q U A R T E R L Y M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 G iven the uncertainly that we have in our lives, I am taking some topics and talking about trends and how they can be (or may not be) terrible ideas. In legal tech it seems we walk the tightrope between success and challenges all the time – because failure is not an option. Trend - Artificial Intelligence is relevant in all areas of technology. Ultimately, if there is data-heavy tasks to address, the software company / service provider has implemented an AI solution. In my experience in litigation support with discovery documents, "artificial intelligence" usually means there is a new yet-to-be-named technology. Structured Analytics and Cognitive Analytics began life as "a new AI feature". Similarly, data indexing for records management and contract review analysis and review all began life as "a new AI feature". Oxford languages provides the definition "the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence…" AI is proving to provide results that are better than humans can perform – where there is consistent data, e.g. contract review and analysis, there can be tremendous value in implementing AI solutions. Terrible idea – Artificial Intelligence can only step into processes in a well-defined workflow. The mantra "good process is good process" (which is my favorite!) is a key staple to all technology processes for very good reasons. In my discovery work, it can leverage to a defensible process, to provide documented, reliable, repeatable and logical steps through data analysis. As we saw at Legal Week, many providers will tout "we provide AI solutions to leverage dynamic synergies and complete work with higher quality and lower cost!!" (FYI dynamic synergies is my favorite useless phrase). That may be irrefutable, but without a foundation of documented, reliable, repeatable and logical steps through the manual process – no technology can successfully automate a poor process. Often, new technology takes the blame for time taken to navigate processes to a condition where they can be automated effectively. Trends and Terrible Ideas F R O M T H E P U B L I C A T I O N S L I A I S O N B Y C I N D Y M A C B E A N

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