In this episode of Bytes of Ingenuity, host Nick Newsom explores the transformative power of Large Language Models (LLMs) in the legal realm with computer science professor and AI expert, Amer Mouawad. As LLMs capture the public's imagination, this discussion delves into how they can revolutionize legal research and elevate legal practice. Amer reveals how LLMs can provide relevant suggestions and efficient assistance to legal professionals, saving them valuable time. The episode also highlights exciting legal AI tools in development, including those that simplify legal jargon for citizens and fact-check public statements for legality. Addressing concerns about data confidentiality, Amer emphasizes the importance of offline LLM hosting to ensure confidentiality. Additionally, he critiques the politicisation of AI development, advocating for open-source models and collaboration between diverse experts to create tools that serve the public good.

01:20 - What are LLMs and how do they work?

02:15 - Grounding LLMs in legal context

05:33 - Legal AI and the future of legal practice 

10:56 - Confidentiality and data protection

13:59 - The impact on labour and education

17:22 - Democratizing legal expertise

19:04 - Legal fact-checking and misinformation

20:34 - Digital literacy, AI safety and open-source models

25:00 - The role of the state and data availability

29:04 -The state of AI in the Middle East

33:19 - Blending theory and practices

Further reading

AI's transformative potential for the legal sector

On removing bias from legal LLMs

Legal checking: putting law back at the heart of public debate 

Read a full transcript of the episode here.

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