“Gen AI and machine learning AI are very different,” explains Jon Bartman, founder of The Law Tech Consultancy, during a recent Platforum9 session. His insight cuts through the hype to offer a pragmatic view of AI adoption in legal practice.
Understanding the AI Landscape
While generative AI grabs headlines, Bartman distinguishes between two key types:
- Machine Learning AI: Focused on analyzing specific datasets within firms
- Generative AI: Drawing on vast external data to generate new content “Machine learning AI is saying, let’s look at things you do right now,” Bartman explains. “You’re not relying on something going outside – you’re doing stuff inside that you know is correct.”
The Productivity Revolution
The impact is particularly significant for junior lawyers. “Paralegals and juniors are going to benefit the most from these solutions,” Bartman notes. “What used to take 10 hours can now be done in one.” However, this isn’t leading to job losses – instead, firms are expanding their capabilities to take on work they previously couldn’t handle.
Strategic Implementation
Bartman challenges the one-size-fits-all approach: “2025 is going to prove that we’re not living in an age where any law firm says, ‘Yeah, firm-wide, we’re going to take X.'” Instead, he advocates for targeted solutions:
- Focus on specific team needs
- Start with clear use cases
- Ensure easy implementation
- Measure concrete time savings
The Cost Equation
“Legal tech’s not there to look good,” Bartman emphasizes. “It’s about saving time, and time in its simplest form within a law firm always equates to money.” However, he warns about the hidden costs of AI implementation, particularly with private, secure connections requiring token costs for both input and output.
Future Outlook
For firms still hesitating, Bartman’s message is clear: “If you’re not updating, if you’re not changing… you’ll fall behind the curve.” The question isn’t whether to adopt AI, but how to adopt it strategically. As he concludes, “You’ve got to AI – but you’ve got to have the right AI, and that comes in different shapes and sizes for everybody.”
The path forward requires careful consideration of each firm’s unique needs and capabilities, but staying on the sidelines is no longer an option in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape.
