As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise various sectors, its integration into legal processes is taking centre stage, particularly through workflow automation solutions. This trend is highlighted in the latest insights from industry expert Catherine J. Moynihan, Senior Director at Epiq’s Legal Business Advisory Group.
The emergence of Generative AI (Gen AI) has sparked a significant interest in its potential applications across businesses. Legal departments, traditionally known for their cautious approach towards technology adoption, are now receptive to incorporating AI-powered solutions. This change is driving a broader perspective on AI investments, addressing not only narrow applications but also overarching legal operational needs.
A wide array of workflow automation (WFA) solutions is currently available, tailored specifically for corporate legal environments. These solutions include well-known platforms like Bryter, Checkbox, Josef, Kim, MyLegal, Neota, OnitX, TAP, and Tonkean. They offer user-friendly workflow applications, enabling what is known as "citizen development" — allowing non-tech staff to create applications using low or no code. Their integration capabilities extend to popular collaboration tools such as Slack, Teams, and Outlook, promoting seamless communication and task management.
The versatility of WFA technology lies in its ability to manage workflows efficiently. This involves decision tree-oriented solutions, which leverage flowchart structures, and orchestration-focused solutions, which manage complex workflows involving numerous tasks and actors. These methods ensure a smoother flow of processes and facilitate integration with adjacent systems without intense IT intervention.
Key components of these solutions also include document automation and bulk processing, allowing legal departments to generate and manage high volumes of documents swiftly. This is crucial for compliance and security, ensuring data is handled with strict oversight and secure permissions.
AI’s integration into WFA solutions enhances their capabilities significantly. Document processing is improved through optical character recognition (OCR) and natural language processing (NLP), enabling better data handling and integration. Further, decision automation and machine learning support continuous improvements in workflow efficiency by adapting to new data and changing conditions.
The incorporation of Gen AI is enhancing the capabilities of these WFA tools, providing a more intuitive interaction for users. For instance, Bryter’s "AI Agents" helps employees with policy queries, whereas OnitX’s "Catalyst Virtual Assistant" assists in drafting emails and answering legal queries. These innovations transform the client interface, making it more conversational and efficient.
As legal departments continue to explore and integrate these advanced tools, they benefit from not only reduced procedural complexities but also enriched data management practices. These tools, supported by AI and Gen AI, provide comprehensive solutions that streamline legal processes while ensuring compliance and data security.
The ongoing evolution of AI-driven solutions and their growing presence in legal departments are detailed by the Hyperion Low/No Code Workflow Automation MarketView™ Report. This report offers a fact-based analysis and evaluation of the most advanced solutions available in the market, which are set to redefine legal operations.
Source: Noah Wire Services