New York State Bar Association issues AI usage guidelines for legal practice
April 10, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor
Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, highlights the critical balance between harnessing AI's potential in legal work and safeguarding client confidentiality and ethical integrity. Photo courtesy of NYS Bar Association
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The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has released a comprehensive set of guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice, following approval by its House of Delegates on April 6, 2024.
These guidelines are aimed at ensuring lawyers integrate AI tools into their practice without compromising ethical standards or client confidentiality.
The report, produced by the NYSBA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, explains the necessity for attorneys to disclose the use of AI in client cases, emphasizing the maintenance of attorney-client privilege amidst rising concerns over data security. The task force has stressed that New York’s existing Rules of Professional Conduct offer a solid foundation for AI’s ethical application but highlighted the need for further education to navigate the technology’s complexities.