The Illinois Bar Association published an article on May 26 discussing the implications of artificial intelligence use in the legal profession. The piece, titled “What’s Said to AI May Not Stay in AI” and authored by Jake A. Leahy, explores how attorneys and clients interact with AI tools and the potential risks to confidentiality and privilege.
According to the article, early experiences with artificial intelligence in law have included issues such as hallucinations, unvetted filings, and judicial sanctions. However, Leahy writes that when used carefully, AI can help lawyers deliver better work more efficiently and at a lower cost. The main concern is not whether Illinois lawyers may use AI, but how they can do so while honoring confidentiality obligations.
Leahy highlights that many attorneys and clients paste sensitive information into consumer chatbots without realizing these conversations are not privileged and may be discoverable. The article examines different types of AI use by legal professionals as well as steps that might be taken to avoid compromising client information or work-product protection.
The Illinois Bar Association serves more than 28,000 members through continuing legal education, practice management resources, professional networking opportunities, awards for pro bono service and diversity leadership, administrative operations at the Illinois Bar Center, promotion of diversity initiatives to foster participation among all attorneys, and governance by an elected president along with a Board of Governors and Assembly, according to the official website.
The full article “What’s Said to AI May Not Stay in AI” appears in the May issue of the Illinois Bar Journal.
