Guidance for time-honoured profession to navigate an AI future

Friday, 26 July 2024

Guidance for time-honoured profession to navigate an AI future

The Law Society of NSW has joined with LexisNexis, a leading legal tech, information and analytics company to demystify terms used in connection with artificial intelligence (AI) as part of a suite of material to help solicitors and the public better understand the new technology.

President of the Law Society of NSW Brett McGrath said the AI Glossary decodes dozens of terms like Agentic AI, XAI, RAG and Hallucination, that are rapidly becoming necessary additions to lawyers’ lexicons.

“This publication will be an indispensable resource for practitioners using AI tools and platforms, and for those seeking understanding about this burgeoning technology. The AI Glossary is among a number of resources developed in consultation with the Law Society’s AI Taskforce,” Mr McGrath said.

Members of the AI Taskforce include senior legal, academic and tech experts as well as judicial officers from multiple jurisdictions. Resources include the Solicitors guide to responsible use of AI, online learning including Fundamentals of GenAI for Lawyers and a summary of Court Protocols on AI.

Mr McGrath said the AI Taskforce is advancing his 2024 President’s Priority to encourage discussion and action around AI and the legal profession, to assist solicitors avoid the potential pitfalls and realise the promise of AI.

“As one of the world’s most ancient professions, lawyers have seen the tools of their craft evolve from stone tablets to paperless offices. Many firms are now harnessing AI for the benefit of their clients. These resources, including the AI Glossary, are designed to assist the entire profession, especially those exploring how AI can help them in their practices,” Mr McGrath said.

“The work of law is ‘too human’ for AI to take over altogether. In an age when ChatGPT is both passing the US Bar Exam and ‘making up’ case citations relied on in court, NSW’s lawyers remain bound by their ethical obligations to the court and clients, ensuring they stand behind their work, whether or not AI is involved,” Mr McGrath said.

LexisNexis Managing Director, Asia & Pacific Greg Dickason said the AI Glossary underscores the commitment of the Law Society and LexisNexis to empowering legal professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to successfully navigate the changing AI landscape.

“By demystifying key AI concepts and terminology through the AI Glossary, we aim to equip legal professionals with accurate, up-to-date, and practical information on AI's applications in legal practice,” Mr Dickason said.

“Together with the Law Society, we have developed a comprehensive, user-friendly, plain English resource that is a living document that we’ll refresh and update as the technological landscape develops.” 

Find the AI Glossary and the Law Society of NSW’s other AI resources on our AI for Legal Professionals webpage.

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