Legal research solution builder Ex Ante has released a report on the use of AI by legal professionals. The report was created in collaboration with research agency BUFFL.
What does the general public expect from online legal information sources? To what extent do they trust tools such as Google or ChatGPT for legal advice? And do they find it acceptable for lawyers themselves to use AI tools in their advisory services? This report by Ex-Ante provides answers to these questions and discusses the implications for the adoption of legal tech in the sector.
Summary: the Role of AI in the Legal Profession
The Belgian public expects legal professionals to use AI, but in a supporting role. The use of AI applications such as ChatGPT to retrieve legal information is steadily increasing, and with it the public's expectation that their legal advisor will also use AI to find the right information more quickly.
Although most people find it acceptable for lawyers to use AI for research, control and reliability remain essential. AI tools that independently draft legal advice are a step too far for many.
The message is clear: technology can complement human expertise, but it cannot replace it. Legal professionals would do well to invest in AI tools to gather information faster or automate repetitive work.
Thorough quality control must always remain paramount, and the use of AI must be communicated transparently. Clients must be able to trust that you, as a professional, retain final control and responsibility. By combining people and technology, you can provide legal services that are both efficient and reliable.
To download and consult the full report, go to the Ex Ante website.
Ex Ante is a new database for Belgian legal professionals that centralises all relevant primary sources (case law, legislation, parliamentary preparations, etc.). Ex Ante also allows users to search these sources intuitively by asking a question in natural language.
