DEI and AI - The Future is Now

Expectations are that AI will impact every type of technology in-house legal departments currently use, from contract management to eDiscovery. At the same time, legal industry leaders are looking at AI as a valuable contributor to increasing overall workplace and large law firm diversity, a 20+-year old effort that has shown not as much progress as expected. AI can help achieve DEI goals by reducing bias, increasing efficiency, and supporting diverse employees. AI tools can process large data sets quickly, potentially identifying diverse candidates and uncovering inequities in salary or retention. In addition, employers can use AI tools to offer training, career path guides, or other employee-specific tools to help employees of all identities advance their careers, improve skills, or be matched with appropriate job opportunities. However, risks remain, such as employment law liability for the use of biased, discriminatory data and programming and reliance on unlawful information.

In our program, we will explore the intersection of DEI and AI, and the benefits and risks inherent in expanding the new frontier of AI in achieving DEI goals and more effectively managing the practice of law.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify current trends in litigation and court decisions involving AI usage, including DEI and law firm management

2. Utilize AI usage overall to adapt to their own legal work

3. Identify best practice recommendations and look ahead at "what the future holds"