Whether we realize it or not, we encounter GenAI every day. Search engines, like Google, include GenAI summaries at the top of your search results. GenAI does a decent job suggesting answers to many of life’s questions. Answering legal questions, however, is debatable. While several attorneys and a few self-represented litigants have faced sanctions for including fake case citations in their court documents, some self-represented litigants report successfully using GenAI to win their cases. Good results start with understanding how GenAI works.
How does GenAI work? Think of GenAI as an extremely sophisticated autocomplete system. It’s trained on massive amounts of data. When you ask a question, it predicts the most likely response based on patterns learned during training. It doesn’t actually “know” things. It’s guessing what sounds right, not what is right. That’s why AI sometimes invents information, commonly called “hallucinations.”
Understanding GenAI helps draft better prompts. Prompts are instructions that produce the output. A quick internet search will reveal best practices such as providing a role, context, and a specific output. Prompt libraries are collections of vetted prompts on specific topics and are helpful resources for beginners. While these tools are not meant to replace lawyers, individuals are finding creative ways to use them as research assistants, writing coaches, and legal translators. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, just released LegalGPT. Unfortunately, there are not many free law-specific options yet. The general-purpose options mentioned above can be helpful when used with caution.
How can I use GenAI? As mentioned previously, Google search results include an AI-generated summary at the top that can be a good starting point. Another approach is to start your research directly in a GenAI tool. It can help you quickly understand unfamiliar topics, identify key concepts, and determine which laws may govern an issue. Explain legal terms in plain language. You will encounter unfamiliar terms while conducting research. GenAI excels at breaking down complex concepts into understandable language. A common prompt for this task is, “please explain what [insert term] is in Massachusetts, like I am a fifth grader.” Terms mean different things in different states, so include the specific state to retrieve the most relevant information. GenAI can help you organize your ideas and structure your arguments logically, making the writing process easier. It can create a checklist of required information and even help draft the document.
However, proceed with caution! GenAI should be used only for initial research and drafts. Verify results with a trusted source, such as the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries website. Make sure you truly understand any suggestion before using it. View GenAI as a helpful assistant, not a substitute for legal advice. These tools continue improving, but they’re starting points, not final answers. Combined with verified legal resources and your own careful judgment, AI can help you navigate the legal system. ■