Generating issues? Artificial intelligence and legal professional privilege

Legal practice has constantly been forced to adapt and change in response to shifting demands, client expectations and technological innovations. While innovation has challenged legal practitioners, it has delivered benefits such as faster access to information, regularly updated legislation, commentary and guidance, quicker and more accurate billing capabilities and the ability to work from anywhere. The latest wave of technological revolution has seen the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled and powered technologies. This technology has the potential to become integrated into everyday legal practice, possibly affecting the responsibilities and obligations of practitioners. AI-enabled technologies have been rapidly introduced and adopted in some industry sectors in a way that has seen new tools become essential for productivity, so it is reasonable to assume that AI-powered solutions will soon be knocking at the front doors of law firms. This article discusses how artificial intelligence use may affect the legal responsibility of privilege.