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I’ll be honest. I thought about asking ChatGPT to draft this article for me. Instead, I researched the traditional way (having first asked the robot for a few pointers).
‘Celebrated’ for making AI accessible to the masses, this new phenomenon is also hot on the lips of many a profession because of its potential to transform certain industries by taking over human roles and doing the work with greater speed, efficiency, at a fraction of the cost.
ChatGPT is a free and increasingly popular chatbot released in late 2022. It was created by OpenAI, a Silicon Valley artificial intelligence company which recently partnered with Microsoft. Elon Musk was a co-founder but left the startup in 2018.
Powered by AI and referred to as a ‘language model’ it is designed to answer natural language questions and prompts with coherent and contextually appropriate responses in whichever format you request. For example, you could ask it to explain vicarious liability in five points. Or for a list of databases where you can access reputable legal research papers without charge.
Eerily, its conversational communication style makes you feel like you are talking to an actual person with a vast pool of knowledge and the ability to convey information in well-structured explanations. It is shaking up the status quo because of its capabilities to assist with time consuming tasks.
Whether you are writing a blog, article or social media post, ChatGPT can help:
ChatGPT can scan and summarise large quantities of data to identify pertinent cases and legislation.
Warning: while the chatbot can provide generally useful information it is important to verify it with other reliable sources. In a recent case a NYC personal-injury lawyer of 30 years (source The Guardian) regrettably used ChatGPT’s examples of similar cases when suing an airline. He was dismayed to find out after using the case studies in court that the source was unreliable. The fact that ChatGPT had fabricated the lot is because of the way the system works by using contextual clues to craft answers, which unfortunately can be false because of the hallucinogenic nature of the technology.
Used correctly, ChatGPT can save time and provide exciting additional support to many professions and businesses. However, it has certainly not ruled out the need for, and value of, human beings in assisting roles such as clerks, PAs, virtual assistants or administrators. Unsurprisingly, this particularly applies to the legal profession taking into consideration its highly confidential and nuanced essence.
ChatGPT itself makes no illusions about its weaknesses. Below the box to send a message it states: 'ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.'
Often at the end of a response it states a disclaimer, explaining that while it strives to provide helpful and accurate information it has limitations and always encourages users to seek expert advice from humans who can offer valuable insights and considerations that a AI may not be able to provide. Equally, its terms state it is unsafe for sensitive data.
It is not only what is coming out of the chatbot that is of concern, but also what it is fed. Technically, we can ask ChatGPT to summarise a transcript or draft legal advice. This is not advisable as any information uploaded is used to improve the program and could essentially be regurgitated to other users.
While ChatGPT draws from a colossal database, it can only utilise what it has been trained on. A major limitation is its knowledge cut-off date which is September 2021 and it can only offer answers based on data up to this point. However, the technology is currently being worked on to improve the ability to refer to current affairs.
Whether using AI or not, legal administrators handle complex tasks which require human understanding and empathetic communication. Effective legal support requires adaptability, problem solving and relationship building, meaning human engagement is still second to none.
Overall, ChatGPT is a useful tool which may assist some barristers with groundwork tasks. At the same time, the caution that only a responsible human being can apply is essential in its deployment.
Time is precious. Grace is the founder of Eden Assistants, a Virtual Assistant company which specialises in supporting barristers. They handle administration, bundling, emails and more, so that you can focus on what matters most.
I’ll be honest. I thought about asking ChatGPT to draft this article for me. Instead, I researched the traditional way (having first asked the robot for a few pointers).
‘Celebrated’ for making AI accessible to the masses, this new phenomenon is also hot on the lips of many a profession because of its potential to transform certain industries by taking over human roles and doing the work with greater speed, efficiency, at a fraction of the cost.
ChatGPT is a free and increasingly popular chatbot released in late 2022. It was created by OpenAI, a Silicon Valley artificial intelligence company which recently partnered with Microsoft. Elon Musk was a co-founder but left the startup in 2018.
Powered by AI and referred to as a ‘language model’ it is designed to answer natural language questions and prompts with coherent and contextually appropriate responses in whichever format you request. For example, you could ask it to explain vicarious liability in five points. Or for a list of databases where you can access reputable legal research papers without charge.
Eerily, its conversational communication style makes you feel like you are talking to an actual person with a vast pool of knowledge and the ability to convey information in well-structured explanations. It is shaking up the status quo because of its capabilities to assist with time consuming tasks.
Whether you are writing a blog, article or social media post, ChatGPT can help:
ChatGPT can scan and summarise large quantities of data to identify pertinent cases and legislation.
Warning: while the chatbot can provide generally useful information it is important to verify it with other reliable sources. In a recent case a NYC personal-injury lawyer of 30 years (source The Guardian) regrettably used ChatGPT’s examples of similar cases when suing an airline. He was dismayed to find out after using the case studies in court that the source was unreliable. The fact that ChatGPT had fabricated the lot is because of the way the system works by using contextual clues to craft answers, which unfortunately can be false because of the hallucinogenic nature of the technology.
Used correctly, ChatGPT can save time and provide exciting additional support to many professions and businesses. However, it has certainly not ruled out the need for, and value of, human beings in assisting roles such as clerks, PAs, virtual assistants or administrators. Unsurprisingly, this particularly applies to the legal profession taking into consideration its highly confidential and nuanced essence.
ChatGPT itself makes no illusions about its weaknesses. Below the box to send a message it states: 'ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.'
Often at the end of a response it states a disclaimer, explaining that while it strives to provide helpful and accurate information it has limitations and always encourages users to seek expert advice from humans who can offer valuable insights and considerations that a AI may not be able to provide. Equally, its terms state it is unsafe for sensitive data.
It is not only what is coming out of the chatbot that is of concern, but also what it is fed. Technically, we can ask ChatGPT to summarise a transcript or draft legal advice. This is not advisable as any information uploaded is used to improve the program and could essentially be regurgitated to other users.
While ChatGPT draws from a colossal database, it can only utilise what it has been trained on. A major limitation is its knowledge cut-off date which is September 2021 and it can only offer answers based on data up to this point. However, the technology is currently being worked on to improve the ability to refer to current affairs.
Whether using AI or not, legal administrators handle complex tasks which require human understanding and empathetic communication. Effective legal support requires adaptability, problem solving and relationship building, meaning human engagement is still second to none.
Overall, ChatGPT is a useful tool which may assist some barristers with groundwork tasks. At the same time, the caution that only a responsible human being can apply is essential in its deployment.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, outlines why barristers, solicitors, judges, social workers and local authorities across the UK trust AlphaBiolabs for court-admissible testing
Through small but meaningful efforts, we can restore the sense of collegiality that has been so sorely eroded, says Baldip Singh
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Looking to develop a specialist practice? Mariya Peykova discusses the benefits of secondments and her placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
