Ashurst thinks gen AI could be as big for lawyers as email
Partner Hilary Goodier says the firm is ready to proceed with AI after a sweeping trial of the main platforms — but use needs to be managed carefully to minimise errors.
Top tier law firm Ashurst is ready to embrace generative artificial intelligence in its operations after a sweeping trial of the major platforms revealed significant productivity benefits — despite some inaccuracies and even occasional hallucinations.
The international study of generative AI use across 23 of Ashurst's offices included more than 400 partners, lawyers and staff, and partner Hilary Goodier told Capital Brief it has given the firm confidence in moving ahead with the technology.
"These tools are available to all firms, and we really need to, as as an industry, come together and think about how we can use these tools to transform the services we provide," Goodier told Capital Brief in an interview.
Goodier said the survey found that the use of generative AI platforms had helped lawyers do first drafts of their work more quickly. "What we probably didn't expect, but that it definitely helped with, is that blank page syndrome," she said.
