AI – Future of Legal Services – Change Management and Training!
The “Future of Legal Services” White Paper was released by the International Bar Association’s Future of Legal Services Commission on 13 February 2025.
The Commission noted that there was a ‘possibility that AI will continue to be seen as ‘next year’s problem’ at the very time that preparation should be ramping up. A key takeaway from this year’s report is the need to increase the organisational focus on AI – especially around change management and the training of people – to be in a strong position to respond to the challenge as it develops’.
The report concluded that ‘change management and training of people in the adoption of AI was the top impact area across all measured regions’.
The Australian Government’s voluntary AI guardrails (released in September 2024) are intended to align with Australia’s proposed mandatory AI guardrails.
Current legal requirements relating to AI regulation in Australia are complex. The Voluntary AI Standard, and the Mandatory AI Guardrails reforms if implemented, require effective consideration, training, monitoring and reporting.
As referred to in the IBA’s ‘Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession’ Report (September 2024):
· “ lawyers must keep abreast of changes in technology relevant to their practice. This includes understanding AI and its implications, ensuring lawyers can competently use AI tools while being aware of the ethical challenges and risks involved.”
· the “need for human oversight and the expertise of lawyers during the transition to these new practices does not diminish. Indeed, in this moment the need for trained lawyers to critically assess these new technologies may be greater than ever.”
Professional assistance to address these questions and to provide expert training is available and should be sought, as appropriate.
Dr Nigel Wilson, Director, Australis Chambers
Dr Nigel Wilson is an Australian lawyer and privacy, cybersecurity and technology regulatory specialist with over thirty years’ experience.
He is the author of the international, award-winning Teaching Professionals – Revised AI Edition! and is also a professional workplace trainer and educator for corporations, legal practices, governments, critical infrastructures and not-for-profits.
He was a finalist in the Australian AI Awards 2024 in 3 categories:
• AI Leader of the Year – SME
• AI Consultant of the Year – SME
• AI Academic / Researcher of the Year
Dr Nigel Wilson, Australis Chambers
LLB (Hons), BEc, BCL Oxford, Cybersecurity Harvard, PhD
wilson@australischambers.com www.australischambers.com 0413 807 585
Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation