Legal-Technological Unemployment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

The paper investigates the issue of legal-technological unemployment in the age of artificial intelligence through the economic lens of the data-driven economy. Despite certain proper ethical concerns and debates supporting legal conservatism, the article shows that the transience and swift pace of changes are increasing, leaving the legal profession with the dilemma: pursue further economic prosperity or preserve legal conservatism under the threat of disruption. Historical, statistical and already live evidence give a lesson that favouring technology is cost-effective compared to maintaining legal conservatism, while current continuous practical implementation proves the now classic expression: “[t]he future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”

In the article, I divide human and machine intelligence to suggest a new perspective on defining artificial intelligence, focusing on economic considerations. I show that the future of the legal profession has already arrived and constantly progressed in certain regions, indicating its inevitable expansion on a global scale. I demonstrate the dual role of a legal monopoly on the background of transient technological progress, highlighting its fragility and role as a barrier to new advancements. I delve into the dilemma of cold-blooded machines. I propose a regulatory solution and an educational response to artificial intelligence that will mitigate adverse economic ramifications and contribute to the legal profession’s further prosperity.