Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology aims to mimic the capabilities of the human brain. Machine Learning (ML), one of the applications of AI, refers to a technology in which machines “learn” from human input and improve their output over time. As the machine gets more and more information fed into it, it can start taking autonomous decisions and even act on those decisions.
AI and ML have both advanced a lot over the years. However, there’s still plenty of scope for development in these technologies. Currently, AI is still at the “narrow AI” stage. But with regular advancements, a day may arrive when AI will be able to perfectly mimic a human brain and probably outperform it as well.
Current State of Artificial Intelligence in Indian Law
The Indian legal system is very labour-intensive and resistant to the adoption of new technologies. This is one reason why AI and ML are not being adopted on a large scale. Fortunately, the Government of India understands the potential of these technologies and the need to implement them in a few sectors, including the legal sector.
AI has the potential to transform the way Indian lawyers work and how the Indian legal system functions. One great application of AI in the legal field is in legal research. By using AI tools, users can research a topic and find relevant information within a few minutes, which might take several lawyers a lot of time and money if they use manual research methods. With AI, the entire research process can be done more efficiently while improving the quality of the output.
AI is also useful in these areas of the legal sector:
- Due diligence: Lawyers can use AI tools to perform due diligence and background checks easily and at lower costs.
- Case research: Lawyers can research cases and predict the possible outcomes of a new case based on these findings.
- Documentation: Different types of cloud-based software such as Litera Compare and Google Docs can be used to compare documents, find formatting or accuracy issues, quickly edit documents and make fast changes, thus making the process cheap and inexpensive.
- Intellectual property examination: Using AI tools, lawyers can examine massive numbers of IP files for their needs in less time and at lower cost.
- Electronic receipts: AI-based software can help lawyers create billable receipts without the need to allocate manpower and adversely impact billable hours.
Impact of AI in Judiciary
While it is true that today’s AI technology can’t replace human decision-making or analytical skills, it can help humans speed up their tasks, improve the quality of their output, and make better and faster decisions.
There are over 3 crore cases languishing in Indian courts. Current judges can’t possible close these cases anytime soon. However, they can use AI tools to speed up their judgements and increase their case closure rates. They can examine cases and give their judgement by looking at the judgements of similar past cases. This method can speed up the process and also reduce bias and the possibility of corruption. AI can also be used to make decisions for urgent cases.
The Future of AI in India’s Legal Field
The chance of all of this happening in the next few decades seems slight. The good news is that it’s not impossible. Artificial Intelligence is the future because it is being implemented in many other professions and industries. So, there’s no reason why the same can’t happen in the legal field.
With increasing competition among lawyers and law firms, the need to be efficient and reduce cost is a never-ending requirement in the legal industry. Over the coming years, those who stick with the old, manual methods will fall behind in the race, while those who adopt AI in their practices can expect to excel and get ahead of their competitors. We just have to keep an open mind about adopting AI technology in future.
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Article written by Bikramjit Chatterjee
LegalTech Intern @ Prime Infotech Solution
