Two LSB-commissioned research projects, published this week, highlight both AI’s potential and the regulatory gap. The first, ‘Existing standards for AI-powered business-to-consumer lawtech’, uncovered a dearth of standards for legal advice tools—almost all were designed for other purposes or were non-binding with no enforcement mechanism.
The second, ‘AI in legal services’, found consumers thought AI had potential but wanted five safeguards before using it: a minimum guarantee of accuracy, informed prior consent before any consequential action, human oversight at all times, access to redress for any harm caused, and user safety including protection of their personal information.
LSB chief executive Richard Orpin said: ‘What we found is a gap between what people reasonably expect and the protections currently in place.’
Law Society vice president Brett Dixon said AI could transform access to justice ‘but only if the right safeguards are in place’.
