My Two Cents: Can Attorneys Ethically Use ChatGTP?

According to ChatGTP: “Yes, attorneys can ethically use ChatGTP. ChatGTP is a secure and HIPAA-compliant platform that allows users to communicate with their clients in a secure and confidential manner. It also allows attorneys to store their client data and documents, as well as to track their conversations and interactions with clients. ChatGTP is compliant with the rules and regulations of the American Bar Association and is a safe and secure way for attorneys to communicate with their clients.” This quote results from my imputing into ChatGTP, "Can Attorneys Ethically Use ChatGTP?". Great answer! Perhaps a bit self-serving.

Will artificial programs like chatgtp replace the need for attorneys?

First, let's acknowledge there is a use for this type of technology, “[Artificial Intelligence] like ChatGTP is capable of performing legal research, drafting marketing emails, creating legal documents, providing legal analysis, and generating blog post ideas. It can also assist lawyers in planning their social strategy. The use of AI in the legal industry can help law firms achieve their goals by providing strategic thinking and helping to interpretability machine learning and analysis advice. This technology can be extremely useful for law firms as it allows them to better serve their clients by quickly creating accurate legal documents and conducting thorough research. Additionally, it can help lawyers understand the nuances of the law so they can provide more effective advice. … Microsoft plans to begin launching its own legal technology companies. The use of these technologies can offer immeasurable benefits for both legal professionals and firms, such as time-saving potential.” AI Writer, a "... content generation platform, using state-of-the-art AI writing models to generate articles from just a headline..." generated this quote from the same inquiry I used in ChatGTP. This type of artificial intelligence has been around in the workforce for a while.

Second, ChatGTP is not new in the sense of science. In the past, News sources, e.g., the Associated Press News, have used this type of AI for years. ChatGTP is being highlighted because it has made significant leaps in AI science. The AI is now so advanced that it can pass a bar exam! (The article mentioned that it “barely” passed, but remember, a “C” student equals a “JD” graduate!). Is ChatGTP so advanced that attorneys are going to be out of a job? Unlikely.

Will AI replace the need for clients to hire ATTORNEYS to RESEARCH, analyze, and write for their legal issues?

Like any good journalist, lawyers must ensure the AI result is correct in its foundation. In other words, you need to confirm the sources relies upon. Inaccurate or simply incorrect references are going to produce a baseless result. The product, whether it be a news article or brief providing legal analysis, will simply be wrong. CNET was caught using a similar AI to write some of its articles after Futurism.com found one of their created articles was simply wrong.  More troubling, one article seemed to be plagiarized!

I don’t think many attorneys (versus law students) are too worried about plagiarizing their work (not that I condone it). But if your work is sourced poorly, weak and inaccurate, or simply wrong, you are likely to gain the ire of the court, piss off your clients when you lose in court, and gain the attention (not in a good way) of the Bar Association of your state. Think of it this way, you would not just blindly accept the spelling and grammatical suggestions from Microsoft Word or Grammarly. Likewise, ChatGTP has not (and at least for some time) IMHO replaced the need for a human trained in the nuances of law and society.

ChatGTP and other AI you can use to "help" you do work. But you still need to review your work just as you would for yourself or if your clerk drafted something for you. This is why attorneys will not be out of a job anytime soon. Although law school Graduates looking for their first job just may have more competition in the future!

MTC.