Linsey Krolik Advocates for Contract Literacy as Key to AI Readiness in Legal Sector

What's Happening?

Linsey Krolik, a law professor at Santa Clara University and former in-house counsel at companies like PayPal and Arm, emphasizes the importance of contract literacy in the effective use of AI within legal settings. During a recent episode of 'Notes to My (Legal) Self,' Krolik highlighted that understanding the inputs, particularly contracts, is crucial for leveraging AI tools. She argues that many legal teams overlook the foundational skill of contract literacy, which is essential for AI to function effectively. Krolik is training law students to draft real-world legal documents and critically assess AI outputs, preparing them for the evolving demands of the legal industry.

Why It's Important?

The significance of Krolik's advocacy lies in the growing pressure on legal teams to adopt AI technologies to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into legal practices, the ability to understand and manage contract data becomes vital. Without contract literacy, AI tools may struggle to find patterns in chaotic data, leading to ineffective solutions. Krolik's approach aims to equip future lawyers with the skills needed to navigate AI-assisted legal work, ensuring they can meet business needs and articulate contract requirements effectively.

What's Next?

Legal teams are likely to face increasing pressure to incorporate AI into their workflows. As Krolik's students learn to use AI responsibly, the broader legal industry may need to catch up by prioritizing contract literacy. This shift could lead to more structured contract management systems and improved AI readiness. Legal professionals may need to focus on understanding business needs and designing workflows around contracts to fully leverage AI capabilities.

Beyond the Headlines

Krolik's emphasis on contract literacy also touches on ethical concerns surrounding AI use in legal settings, such as confidentiality and accuracy. By fostering a culture of curiosity and preparedness, Krolik aims to mitigate these risks and encourage responsible AI adoption. Her approach highlights the importance of transparency and trust in AI tools, which could lead to more ethical and effective legal practices.