(Weekly recap) Taylor Wessing rolls out Blockchain tool, McFarlanes selects Harvey, and DLA moves to iManage Cloud.

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This is your weekly briefing, covering what happened in legal tech last week. In today's episode, we'll cover the re-emergence of blockchain technology, the importance of cybersecurity and staying updated with evolving regulations for legal professionals.

Let's dive in.

This briefing and podcast is 98% created and produced by AI. Each week, our human editors highlight a number of "key stories" because they are interesting, impactful, or something that is simply worth paying attention to. Here is what we learned from those stories...

A Harvard Business School study shed light on the benefits and limitations of generative AI, specifically GPT-4, for knowledge workers. It highlighted the increased productivity and quality achievable within the AI capabilities frontier but also cautioned against over-reliance on tasks outside of this boundary. The Harvard Law AI Summit assembled renowned thinkers to examine AI's expanding presence in the legal field and its associated implications. Additionally, law firm Taylor Wessing ventured into the world of blockchain by implementing an employee rewards system.

One major trend stemming from these events is the growing recognition of the potential and limits of AI in law. The recent developments carry both excitement and challenges for legal professionals. The Harvard study suggests that AI can enhance efficiency and work quality in various legal tasks, especially in a more digitized world post-pandemic. However, relying excessively on AI may overlook its current limitations, potentially leading to incorrect legal decisions. The Harvard Law AI Summit emphasized that AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution for the justice system and highlighted ethical issues such as job displacement and AI-driven inequality. Taylor Wessing's foray into blockchain demonstrates the ongoing integration of new technologies into legal practices, compelling legal professionals to familiarize themselves with these advancements. Their innovative approach of combining employee recognition with blockchain technology fosters learning while boosting morale.

In essence, the acceptance and adoption of these technologies signify the transformative period the legal industry is currently undergoing, necessitating adaptability and innovation from legal professionals. However, it also underscores the need for ethical and practical caution. Legal practitioners must stay informed about ongoing tech trends, comprehend the implications, and assess the potential impact on their practice and the broader legal system.

Many shifts and developments are underway in the legal industry this month that ultimately revolve around technology, regulation, and business practices. Law firm DLA Piper has embarked on a significant tech transition by moving to the iManage Cloud in the UK and EMEA region. SaaS platform Kim has achieved SOC 2 Type 1 compliance certification, furthering its message of secure and efficient data handling.

In regulatory news, the California Legislature has approved a bill requiring companies to establish workplace violence prevention plans, while issues related to the use of generative AI in business practices are beginning to affect cyber insurance policies.

As already covered, the role of technology in legal practices continues to be a major trend across these stories. Law firms are focusing on transitioning to cloud-based systems, ensuring increased data security, and adopting AI tools for administrative tasks to increase productivity and client service quality. Alongside this, companies are being forced to reassess their insurance plans in accordance with the evolving AI market. Similarly, firms are fully embracing SaaS platforms that come with robust cybersecurity certifications.

For legal professionals, these trends signal a future heavily centered around technology and AI utilities. Firms need to adapt and integrate technological advancements into their systems, notably through cloud migration and AI applications. Additionally, legal professionals must stay updated with the new challenges and responsibilities emerging from AI use, both at the workplace and in serving clients.

In the regulatory framework, stricter rules are being laid down to safeguard employee rights, which will require legal professionals to be well-versed with these regulations and attend to their client's needs accordingly. Professionals, especially in the corporate sector, must be aware of workplace safety laws and their implications on the company and employees.

Moreover, the emergence of new AI tools and, consequently, new businesses opens up possibilities for collaboration and improvement of existing services. As the legal profession becomes more technologically advanced, attention to cybersecurity becomes paramount—something legal professionals and firms need to be conscious of when choosing services and tools for their practice.

And that's a wrap.

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