Lawyers Beware: Artificial Intelligence Is Learning Law - And Doing Frighteningly Well...

AI or artificial intelligence is starting to find its footing in the legal field. The world is now on the brink of revolution in legal profession spearheaded with the extensive use of AI in the entire industry, specifically by the in-house lawyers.

Just like how email greatly changed the way people conduct their business on a daily basis, AI is also expected to become an ever-present force and an invaluable assistant to almost all lawyers.

But the million dollar question now is, what does the future look like for AI as far as the legal industry is concerned? A much bigger question is, will AI soon replace real life lawyers? And if this ever happens, would there be moral or ethical dilemmas that must be taken into consideration when it comes to AI and its use and adoption in the legal field?

What’s the Future of AI in Law?

If you will consider the future of artificial intelligence in the legal field, there are several certainties here. First off, those that fail to embrace and adopt this change are going to fall behind the rest in one way or another. Second, those that actually choose to use AI will get the chance to enjoy more freedom to tackle two things that they always lack enough time for: advising and thinking.

AI in Law – How Technology Helps Lawyers 

These exciting developments in technology initially don’t seem to leave much room where human lawyers can get involved. But, technology helps a lot in making the lives of lawyers so much easier, simpler and more flexible.

Thanks to technology, legal professionals get the chance to work from the comforts of their home with the use of remote desktop programs and cloud software. But, these are comparatively outdated. Good thing there are now companies that connect barristers and law firms with freelance paralegals and law students that allow quick and easy outsourcing of tasks with no need for an entire legal team to stay in one office or building.

This kind of advancements not only allows lawyers in law firms to have more efficient work as they also change how lawyers interact with their clients that moves away from the usual solicitor’s firm.

Will AI Technology Replace Lawyers?

There is very little chance that these changes in technology will push real life lawyers to the side anytime soon. While AI and similar automated programs are excellent resources, there is still a substantial limit to what these logical and formulaic programs can do and achieve.

On the other hand, people skills have become more valuable than ever because the only way for technology to take over is if clients are also robots themselves.

What Will Be the Impact on Technology on Today’s Legal Field?

Technological innovations will continue reflecting the needs of clients. There is no doubt that AI will change how lawyers work and hopefully, it will also make daily tasks such as legal research and drafting more cost effective and efficient. But at the end of the day, clients will still prefer to have an experienced and real legal adviser by their side who knows how to use the latest technology to their full advantage while keeping a good interpersonal relationship.

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Author: Mellionardv

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Smartphones: How We ALL Became Addicted...

It wasn’t too long ago when smartphones were first introduced. But, they have quickly become a basic necessity in the lives of millions of people across the globe.

Let’s be honest. Who can imagine their life without their smartphone in their hands? It didn’t really take that long for these devices to become an integral and essential part of day to day life. It was revealed that half of the world’s population use smartphones right now.

But, how did these handy devices change how people do things?

A decade ago, people didn’t even think that it was possible to use a mobile device to talk with another person. Now, it has become common to engage in all kinds of conversations using their phone’s built-in personal assistants. From getting recommendations for the best dining spots in the city, getting directions to the nearest hospital, ordering chocolates online for their special someone to dictating emails, smartphones and their integrated assistants can pretty much do anything and everything under the sun.

People today can no longer imagine their lives without their smartphones by their side. These devices have evolved to the point that they are no longer just a mere tool for communication but also a constant companion that helps cater to your unique needs while making your life so much easier and simpler. You can choose from millions of apps and download those that are useful and interesting for you, such as apps to remind you of important appointments, build websites, edit photos and videos, track your health and control your connected smart appliances.

Doing business using your mobile devices has also gone beyond spending time in a coffee shop and making endless calls. Invoicing, design, emails, and online research have all become possible today. Capturing videos and images even while on the go has also been made easier while integrated security features make it safe to conduct business no matter where you are. In the field of education, learners don’t just get to access the internet but can even reach out to the best teachers and professionals in the world with just the use of their smartphones.

Half of the users of smartphones use the device to access the different health-related services. Whether they use apps to verify prescriptions or monitor glucose levels, use the device to find healthy recipes or make it their personal fitness tracker, smartphones have affected how people deal with their health and wellness.

But even with the incredible technology that pretty much puts the whole world right in your hands, the truth is that the evolution of smartphones still remains to be in its infancy. This is because technological innovations are still moving forward and beyond with the giant names in the industry leading the race as they to address and cater to the needs and desires of the users today and in the future.

So, the next time you look at your smartphone, don’t forget that there is so much more to it than just being a device to help you check your social media accounts or take photos.

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Author: Mellionardv

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Social Media Roundup: New Features, Policies and Causes at Facebook, TikTok, Twitter...

With modern technology and human lifestyle constantly transforming, social media platforms are no exceptions. Social media topics, trends, and news are being constantly updated. Since social media is the new cool in 2020, you surely need to stay in the loop.

Keeping an eye on the top trends and news on social media might sound to be a hectic task. But in reality, it's just a couple of minutes read.

That being said, here are the top news and updates from various social media updates. Give it a quick read to update your inventory and know what's happening in the U.S and all across the world.

TikTok banned from India. Instagram steps up with TikTok like features

With the border tensions between India and China, the Indian government decided to ban 59 Chinese apps showing reasons for the "threat to national security and sovereignty" caused by the apps. TikTok was included in the list leading to the Chinese app platform losing over 120 million monthly users.
Taking advantage of the situation, Instagram launched Reels, which resembles Tiktok, and enables users to make 15 seconds videos and share them as stories.

Facebook urges people to wear masks in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic with newly introduced prompts

As COVID-19 cases keep rising steadily in the U.SFacebook added new prompts that ask users to wear masks while they are out in public places. As Facebook mentions on its platform, "With the rise in COVID-19 cases in the US, we’re putting an alert at the top of Facebook and Instagram to remind everyone to wear face coverings and find more prevention tips from the CDC in our COVID-19 Information Center.” people should have realized the importance of masks and started wearing them already.

#StopHateForProfit movement gains momentum with brands and civil rights associations joining the campaign

After the controversial statement of President Donald J. Trump on #BlackLivesMatter blew up on social media, it took an ugly turn when Twitter issued a warning on the tweet, while Facebook remained silent. Protesters asked businesses to stop any and all ad contributions towards Facebook in the current month of July. As said by the campaigners, "We are asking all businesses to stand in solidarity with our most deeply held American values of freedom, equality, and justice and not advertise on Facebook’s services in July" people are surely not pleased by Facebook's blatant ignorance to a burning issue.

Twitter now enables "Voice Tweet" features

To what was a much-awaited feature rumored to be arriving soon, you can now record your voice and tweet with voice tweets on Twitter. After months of beta testing of the audio clips features, Twitter finally rolled out the "Voice Tweet" feature for up to 140 seconds for iOS users. There are options for creating a thread of voice tweets as well! So don't let your train of thoughts get stopped by a limit!

While there are a few more things to catch up to, that covers the top news and trends of social media that you must know to stay updated. Keep coming back for more news and the latest information about almost everything that is 2020!

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Author: Techi

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The Future That's Definitely Coming: When Human Brains And Tech Become One...

A blink to control the mobile phone could simplify our routine, and would change forever the quality of life of people with different disabilities. The mind computing is changing the way we interact with tech. Today it allows users to control external devices with their minds and opens up enormous possibilities for inclusion.

Decoding mind waves to read minds has been the field of work for years for Ana Matrán-Fernández, a young researcher who has focused much of her career on improving the quality of life of people with disabilities through scientific breakthroughs.

The assistive tech used by Matrán-Fernández involves mind-computer interfaces (BCI) that allow people to control something external, such as a computer or a wheelchair. According to the researcher from the University of Essex, the technique consists of placing electrodes on the person's head, to measure electrical activity in the mind.

This allows signals associated with certain thoughts to be converted into commands that make it possible for the person with paralysis to control a device.

"We mount a helmet with electrodes, and that gives us signals. Then we have many algorithms and from there we can extract information. We cannot know what a person is thinking exactly, but we can distinguish from a series of options, what they are trying to do , points out the researcher, who exemplifies: "if you want to go to the right, think about raising your right hand, if you want to go to the left, think about moving your left hand. That kind of thinking is well located in the mind. "

After a year and a half of laboratory tests, Ana Matrán-Fernández encouraged her team to participate in a unique opportunity to test their work outside the door: a Cybathlon.

"Cybathlon is a competition for people with different types of disabilities.People who cannot move at all, or people who have had their limbs amputated." They compete in different disciplines in their corresponding category, in our case we form a group of students, and we worked more than a year with David, a 60-year-old man who had an accident at 30 and became a paraplegic.

"It helps you reevaluate your priorities" said Matrán-Fernández, who on that occasion received a bronze medal with his team.

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Jin Hong
Berkeley Newsroom

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