Agentic AI's capabilities can provide your law firm with a significant advantage in an industry that is quickly embracing new technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of both excitement and skepticism in the legal profession. However, a new approach for AI, known as agentic AI, is beginning to reshape how we tackle complex tasks and decision-making.
Unlike traditional AI, which often operates in a linear, step-by-step manner, agentic AI systems can autonomously perform tasks by orchestrating various tools and making decisions based on predefined objectives.
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Using agentic AI in legal practices
Making the case for professional-grade agentic AI
Building the future of agentic AI in law
Agentic AI’s key features
At its core, agentic AI is designed to handle tasks that require a series of steps and decision-making. The system uses a large language model (LLM) as its conductor, deciding when and how to use different tools to achieve its goals.
Think of the LLM acting as a brain, choosing various tools to achieve a specific goal. It’s not just about executing a single task but managing the workflow.
The effectiveness of agentic AI lies in its key components:
- Orchestration: The LLM decides the sequence of actions and tools to use. This is akin to a conductor leading an orchestra, ensuring each instrument — or tool — is used at the right time and in the right way.
- Evaluation: The system continuously assesses whether it has met its objectives. This involves checking the quality and relevance of the information gathered and the actions taken. If the objective is not met, the system can refine its approach. The key to deciding whether an objective is met or not is to have clear evaluation criteria included.
- Memory: Memory in agentic systems goes beyond simple chat history. It can include past interactions, client files, legal precedents, and other relevant data. Agents typically will have an initial phase where the LLM will create a plan to undertake the task, and by effectively drawing on memory, that plan can be more effective and tailored to the desired outcome. This allows the system to make more informed decisions and provide more contextually relevant assistance.
Using agentic AI in legal practices
Lawyers often spend too much time on tedious, repetitive tasks that slow their workflow. With the help of agentic AI, they can significantly streamline responsibilities like conducting deep legal research, drafting documents, and even providing preliminary legal advice.
Reduced workloads can bring major benefits to colleagues like junior associates and paralegals, who can then focus on more critical tasks.
Other ways agentic AI can assist with legal tasks include:
Enhancing decision-making
Agentic systems can provide more accurate and nuanced insights by integrating professional-grade tools and proprietary data. This is particularly important in the legal field, where the interpretation of laws and regulations can be subjective and context dependent.
One of the key advantages of agentic AI is its ability to handle tasks that require nuanced reasoning and interpretation. The real value lies in how the system can handle tasks that are not just about finding information but about interpreting it in the context of a specific case.
Improved efficiency
Agentic AI can operate autonomously for longer periods, reducing the need for constant human intervention. This means that tasks can be completed faster and with greater consistency, leading to increased productivity and client satisfaction.
One of the most compelling examples of this is in the area of legal research, as agentic AI can sift through vast amounts of legal precedents and case law. It can then identify relevant information to synthesize it into a coherent, comprehensive report.
Customization and flexibility
Lawyers can set specific objectives and parameters for agentic systems, ensuring that they align with the unique needs of their practice. This customization allows for more tailored and effective use of AI in different legal scenarios.
For instance, a law firm specializing in intellectual property might configure an agentic AI system to focus on patent law and trademark research. Having the ability to customize the system to specific needs can be a game-changer that truly enhances a legal practice.
Making the case for professional-grade agentic AI
Not all agentic AI systems are created equal. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating agentic AI:
- Tool integration: The best agentic systems integrate with a wide range of professional-grade tools, including legal research repositories, calculation engines, and document management systems. This ensures that the system can access and use the most relevant and accurate information.
- Human-in-the-loop: While agentic AI can operate autonomously, it is necessary to have human oversight. The value of an agentic system is that human-in-the-loop steps are less frequent and repetitive because the agent is acting autonomously for longer. But remember that AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, human expertise. When humans are kept in the loop, lawyers should be able to set objectives, review results, and make final decisions.
- Sophisticated reasoning: Advanced agentic systems can handle tasks that require nuanced reasoning and interpretation. This is particularly important in legal contexts where there are often no clear right or wrong answers, but rather a range of possible interpretations.
- Memory and context: Remembering and using past interactions allows the system to provide more personalized and contextually relevant assistance, which enhances the overall quality of service.
Building the future of agentic AI in law
As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect agentic systems to become even more sophisticated. Future developments may include increased autonomy, enhanced reasoning, and customizable workflows that can benefit law firms of all sizes. Staying informed and proactive in its adoption will be key to maintaining a competitive edge in the legal industry.
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