Schiller DuCanto & Fleck is proud to announce that Partner Michele M. Jochner recently authored a thought-provoking article titled "Rise of the Machines." The article, featured as the cover story in Best Lawyers’ 2023 Litigation Issue, delves into the timely topic of the impact of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal industry.Michele examines the remarkable evolution of AI, particularly generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, which can swiftly produce human-like text based on prompts. The article underscores the momentous societal shift ushered in by AI and its substantial impact on various sectors, including the legal profession.The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology in the legal field, with law firms increasingly turning to generative AI for efficiency gains in streamlining more mundane tasks such as preparing and analyzing discovery. However, the use of these tools can also backfire due to their own limitations.Michele’s article specifically spotlights the perils that can arise through the use of generative AI in legal research and writing, and shares the cautionary tale of a recent case where lawyers were sanctioned for relying on this tool to submit a legal brief supported by non-existent case law that was “hallucinated” by the chatbot. Michele emphasizes that although these generative AI programs have great potential to help attorneys with certain tasks that will make their work more efficient, the use of this new technology must always adhere to strict ethical standards, and attorneys must continue to exercise sound professional judgment - combined with an invaluable human touch - in legal research and writing.Renowned for her expertise in matrimonial law, complex appellate matters, and legal advocacy, Michele brings a wealth of experience to this discussion. As a former law clerk to two Chief Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court and a recognized thought leader who has penned more than 200 legal articles appearing in publications nationwide, she offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of legal practice in the age of AI.Read the full article here.