Extract from Amanda O’Brien’s article “AI Will Threaten Law Firm Jobs, But Innovators Will Thrive”
Split between foreseeing job cuts and opportunities to introduce new skills and additional efficiencies into the office, firm leaders and consultants remain uncertain about the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal workforce.
However, one thing is certain: law firms and attorneys need to adapt and learn how to integrate this new technology in their business models, according to consultants.
Firm leaders are taking a cautious approach to implementing generative AI into their practices, testing and investigating the technology and its reliability before selecting a tool to use. However, leaders have been reluctant to comment on the long-term implications of AI use, fearing that jobs may be lost in the uptake of generative AI.
“I think there’s going to be some contraction [of the workforce],” said Mark McCreary, co-chair of Fox Rothschild’s privacy and data security practice, adding that he foresees possibly fewer needs for associates.
Linda Novosel, chief innovation and value officer at Blank Rome, also validated concerns about job loss when implementing AI.
