The law is very nuanced and constantly changing. One of the hardest tasks for an attorney is not only keeping up with the changes but actually understanding them and applying them to the specific circumstances unique to each of their clients. AI tools are far from capable of doing this, at least at present.
ChatGPT acknowledges these limitations itself, or more accurately, its creators have trained it to caution users not to use the tool for legal advice. When asked whether ChatGPT should be used for legal advice, ChatGPT will respond as follows:
As an AI language model, ChatGPT is designed to assist users in generating human-like responses to a wide range of prompts. However, ChatGPT should not be used for legal advice for several reasons:
1. Lack of Legal Training: ChatGPT is not trained in the field of law and does not possess the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide accurate legal advice.
2. Limitations of Information: ChatGPT’s responses are based on the data it has been trained on and the information provided by the user. However, legal issues can be complex and require detailed information about the specific situation, which may not be available or properly communicated through a text-based conversation.
3. Liability: Providing incorrect legal advice can have serious consequences for both the person seeking advice and the AI language model. ChatGPT does not have the ability to be held accountable for any errors or omissions in its advice, which could lead to legal liabilities.
4. Ethical Concerns: Legal advice requires ethical considerations that go beyond simply providing a response to a prompt. AI language models like ChatGPT may not be capable of understanding and adhering to these ethical standards.
Therefore, it is always recommended to seek legal advice from a qualified and licensed professional who is trained in the relevant legal area and can provide personalized advice based on the specific circumstances of the case.
These are all valid concerns and reasons to avoid using AI tools for legal advice, but one missing concern is that of privacy. When speaking with an attorney, clients maintain the protection of attorney-client privilege. No such laws or protections exist when seeking advice from an AI tool.
Even in instances where the advice sought could seem harmless, it is currently uncertain how data privacy and security laws apply to AI tools, meaning a person’s questions and prompts to an AI could be made public.
Ultimately, AI, while entertaining and useful, is far from an adequate means to receive legal advice. And while there is typically no harm in wanting to familiarize yourself with a legal concept through a Google search, when the results of your search or prompt to an AI may influence your decision making, it is best practice to check with your attorney to ensure you receive accurate legal advice.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding a legal matter. Our attorneys at the DuBoff Law Group practice in a variety of fields and write books for nonlawyers “in Plain English” in those areas as well. We are eager to assist with all your legal needs.
Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash
