AI lawyer gets a job at a real law firm

The world’s first AI attorney, Ross, has secured a job at a real law firm.

Baker & Hostetler, who hires almost 50 human lawyers as part of its bankruptcy practice, has taken on IBM’s Ross. The AI will assist Baker & Hostetler’s lawyers by making it quicker to find law-based answers.

IBM explains that people can ask Ross questions in plain English, as they would a colleague, and then Ross “reads through the entire body of law and returns a cited answer and topical readings from legislation, case law and secondary sources to get you up-to-speed quickly.”

The AI is also capable of narrowing results down from a thousand to just the most relevant answers and presents them in more understandable language. It also keeps up to date with ongoing developments in the legal system.

Other law firms have apparently signed licenses with Ross, but are yet to make an announcement.