Will the rise of AI push me out of a job?

I’ve become fascinated with the rise of AI.

In a world that's increasingly driven by technology, the question of how artificial intelligence will impact what I do and how I do it feels not only relevant but urgent.

I was recently asked if I think it will put me out of work.

After all, some of today's advanced language models can now outperform most law school graduates on bar exams with scores in the 90th percentile.

AI is becoming astonishingly more powerful at a galloping pace.

In the late 1980s, AI capabilities were limited, with models using roughly a million "parameters" – the factors the AI takes into account when making decisions.

AI is everywhere

Fast forward to today, we have language models like ChatGPT by OpenAI and LaMDA by Google. They operate with trillions of parameters – and that capability continues to grow.

AI is everywhere these days. It’s literally in the palm of your hand – your smartphone. It powers chatbots, self-driving features in cars, movie recommendations on Netflix.

It is seemingly everywhere in business and industry today, from helping with predictions on health care outcomes from patients, to assisting banks detecting fraud and managing the flow of electricity across entire communities.

And then there is the field of law.

Instant predictions

The future of law in the era of AI is still unfolding. As with any transformation, there are challenges and opportunities, but adapting and evolving with the times is key.

I believe lawyers who resist adopting these technological advancements could become as outdated as those who still insist on using faxes over emails.

AI-based tools like Spellbook, Lexata, and Jurisage are providing expert-level information and context. Imagine a scenario where AI takes in the facts of a case and instantly predicts an outcome. Canadian-made AI, Blue J Legal, does just that – predicting the outcome of complex employment cases with a high degree of accuracy based on court decisions from across the country.

The implications are staggering and could very well redefine what it means to practise law.

Courts across the country are grappling with the role of AI in the profession. CBC recently reported on a warning coming from the courts in Alberta to ensure humans are vetting any research done by AI.

Trust is a factor

So, do I think AI could put me out of a job?

No, I don’t. It will most certainly change how I do my job – especially in researching and preparing cases. But the courts have made it clear humans need to be at the forefront.

Trust is an overwhelming factor. Clients place faith and trust in me to give them the crucial advice they need when they need it. They count on it.

Even with the astounding rise of AI, I believe my clients will still want me to be taking their calls, providing them with the best counsel and advocating for them to ensure the best possible outcome.

I guess only time will tell.

Mel K. Norton is a Partner with Lawson Creamer. He can be reached at mnorton@lawsoncreamer.com.