The Ethical Considerations of Popular Ai-fueled Chat Features on Firm Websites

• Publication year: 2024
• Citation: Vol. 37 No. 2 Pg. 28
• Pages: 28

The Ethical Considerations of Popular AI-Fueled Chat Features on Firm WebsitesVol. 37 No. 2 Pg. 28Utah Bar JournalMarch 2024

by Scotti Hill

If you've checked out a law firm's website lately, you've likely noticed the trend of chat boxes emerging from the right side of the screen instantaneously. These Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated text features invite prospective clients to submit their contact information or, in some cases, to directly submit questions to identify the type of legal assistance needed.

Though reaction to such interactive features is surely mixed - with some finding the tool convenient, and others preferring communication with a real lawyer -the rise of interactive, Ai-generated technology raises interesting ethical considerations for the lawyers who use these features to streamline their practice.

"Lawyers should use caution when considering the extent to which their firm's chat box solicits sensitive information from individuals seeking legal services."

And while the buzz surrounding AI in the legal field is seemingly unending - see the Utah State Bar's recent Fall Forum and articles featured in numerous editions of the Utah Bar Journal - there are applications both intuitive and perhaps more nuanced. As a slew of guides from various jurisdictions aim to provide an overview of the potential ethical concerns underlying the use of AI in the practice of law - lest we forget the New York lawyer whose use of ChatGPT to draft a brief resulted in a multitude of errors - perhaps less discussed are the applications of the technology in legal advertising.

Lawyers aiming to use interactive technologies should consider whether the act of...