As Generative AI spreads to new fields, the 2024 Legal Innovation Conference has what legal professionals need to know

This year’s Legal Innovation Conference will shine a light on the rewards and risks of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of law. 

Organized by the University of Alberta Faculty of Law’s Law and Business Association (LBA), the event is scheduled for March 1 at the Lister Centre. 

The conference will start with an introduction and opening remarks at 9:00 a.m. and close with a keynote speech at 5:00 p.m. There will also be networking opportunities at noon, during a lunch break, and after the keynote. The presentations will also be streamed online for those who can’t make it in person.

Generative AI is a category of applications that can create text, images, and other types of files when given a prompt by a user. ChatGPT is one notable example. Over the past few years, these kinds of programs have begun to appear in the legal profession, such as Casetext's Co-Counsel, billed as a kind of AI-powered legal assistant that can aid in research and brief drafting. 

According to Jenna Brackman — a student organizer with the conference and a third-year student at the U of A’s Faculty of Law — this year’s topic is of growing importance. Some tech startups are trying to make AI tools to help law firms keep costs down for clients and save time. 

In addition to showcasing some pieces of tech that are game changers for legal service providers, the conference will hear from legal professionals at various organizations on how AI is being integrated into their practices and what their first-hand experience is like with them, Brackman says. 

But some of this technology also comes with risks, which speakers at the conference will discuss. These risks include potential biases in data and the potential for platform users to influence the content that the AI tools create. 

“I think generative AI is noteworthy because the legal sector faces new challenges and opportunities as AI technologies, including generative models, become more prevalent across various industries,” says Jagat Bath, a student organizer of the conference and second-year student at the Faculty of Law. 

“Regulation and governance are vital to address potential ethical, privacy, and security concerns associated with generative AI. Legal frameworks must adapt to ensure responsible and fair use of these technologies, especially considering their ability to generate content and simulate human-like language.”

‘A deeper understanding’

Both Bath and Brackman helped set up last year’s Legal Innovation Conference, which focused on ‘the intersection of law and technology.’ This year, the two law students took on bigger roles as co-organizers. 

“I was thrilled when the opportunity arose to take on more responsibility this year,” Brackman says. 

“It was a fantastic experience with great conversations around legal innovation. Innovation and technology are things that I am very passionate about, so I love that I had the chance to work so closely on the conference this year,” Bath added. 

This year, the organizers hope to create a space where students, scholars, legal professionals, and members of the business community can learn. In particular, they wanted attendees to hear from experts with diverse backgrounds, and provide networking opportunities .

The conference is also a skill-building opportunity for legal professionals. The Law Society of Alberta outlines that lawyers need to develop an understanding of and ability to use new relevant technologies, Brackman says. The conference offers the chance to do just that. 

“For conference attendees — I hope they come away with a deeper understanding of how generative AI is shaping the legal landscape,” Bath says. “Legal professionals must grasp the opportunities and challenges this technology presents and the accountability and transparency we need around AI. It will be an exciting opportunity and call for reflection for everyone who joins!”

Learn more and register to attend here.