The Case for AI-Powered Legal Aid

Abstract

The authors argue that the digital transformation toward remote justice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was not a paradigm shift; the root of this transition lies in the long-standing access to justice problem which was exacerbated, not caused, by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors suggest that the role of technology in access to justice is much greater than simply a digitization of long-standing practices. Rather, technological innovations in the legal field provide opportunities to improve access to legal representation and to refine court processes. Non state initiatives, such as MyOpenCourt, can help alleviate the gaps in access to justice. Long term, the authors suggest that using direct-to-public (DTP) tools, such as legal assistance systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI), can help push toward their vision of a consistent global system of online dispute resolution. However, the use of DTP tools also raises concerns regarding privacy, security, and the unauthorized practice of law. In light of this, the authors call for greater research on the legality of DTP AI tools.