BigLaw AI Wars: DLA Piper Strikes Deal With Kira Systems

Artificial intelligence is taking over a job near you, if it hasn't already. BigLaw firm DLA Piper has partnered with Canadian tech firm Kira Systems to launch an AI legal tech tool that will be used for document review during M&A transactions. This automation step has been billed by DLA Piper as a boon for clients and the company.
It's the latest in BigLaw handshakes with AI companies, and it has everyone at the bottom of the totem pole worried.
Kira Systems
Kira developed its own proprietary machine-learning software that will no doubt be used by DLA's numerous attorneys to help take apart the complex legal jargon used in complex M&As. It's been said that the program can handle all manners of provisions -- standard and non-standard. It takes apart provisions and offers up a plain English meaning in seconds, giving an analysis of the document in minutes. How's that for heavy lifting?
Unleashed
DLA Piper doesn't plan to just keep the machine within the United States; it plans to make the Kira program available to its corporate attorneys across the planet. Currently, the software is being used in the firm's M&A dealings, but there is talk that it may be tried on other contract review matters as well.
No Sign of Slowing
DLA Piper's Andrew Darwin (an apt surname) said that "new technology is emerging at a rapid rate within the legal sector," and that law firms stand to benefit both themselves and their clients by making "bold" investments in new technologies on an ongoing basis.
But, lawyers across the spectrum are ambivalent about the rise of tech and what it means for their job security. On the one hand, technology is both a sword and a shackle. It allows lawyers to market themselves cheaply, but then it also necessitates constant vigilance of one's online presence.
But the majority of lawyers (especially solos) feel worried about AI. Some people are just resigned to the rise of Skynet. Although it's unlikely that artificial intelligence will supplant lawyers, we can see that robots are already replacing our surgeons. How long will it be before a robot represents you in court?
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Related Resources:
- Need a great hire? Post a job with Indeed. (Indeed)
- DLA Piper Unveils new Partnership With AI firm Kira Systems (Global Legal Post)
- BigLaw Firm Brings Artificial Intelligence on Board (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Clients Want Artificial Intelligence and They Want It Soon-ish (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Are AI Legal Programs Beagle and ROSS Ready to Replace Attorneys? (FindLaw's Technologist)