The launch of ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot, in November last year marked the beginning of an AI revolution. Rapidly becoming an essential tool across many professions—such as finance, copywriting, translation, editing, and law—it prompts a reevaluation of the future necessity of various jobs. We spoke with Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė, Rector of Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU) and Professor of Law, to explore how AI will reshape the legal profession and what changes legal professionals need to prepare for.

The Impact of AI on the Legal Profession

Dr. Bieliauskaitė explains that, like many other professions, the legal field can greatly benefit from AI, which serves as an excellent assistant in handling preparatory tasks. “Lawyers can already optimize their workflow using AI tools: they can prepare documents, edit texts, translate legal concepts, draft contracts, and write letters more efficiently,” she notes. One standout capability of AI is its proficiency in analyzing vast amounts of documents—a task that many lawyers find time-consuming and are increasingly willing to outsource to AI.

Challenges of Implementing AI in Law

However, the integration of AI in the legal domain is not without its challenges. Dr. Bieliauskaitė highlights several issues, particularly concerning data protection, confidentiality, and decision-making. “These are serious concerns,” she says. “In systems like ChatGPT, data retention and further use are points of contention. Abroad, AI systems are being deployed on corporate servers or in private clouds to mitigate these risks.” Another significant issue is accountability—who is liable for mistakes made by a robot lawyer?

 Can AI Replace Lawyers?

Dr. Bieliauskaitė is clear that while AI can assist with many legal tasks, it cannot replace the nuanced decision-making of a human lawyer. “AI can perform many of a lawyer’s tasks, but making a decision requires weighing multiple factors. Only a human, equipped with comprehensive information, knowledge, and intelligence, can creatively solve legal problems that often involve moral and social dimensions,” she asserts. “Mistakes in law are both painful and costly.”

 The Future of the Legal Profession

Despite the advancements in AI, Dr. Bieliauskaitė is confident that the legal profession will not disappear. “The need and importance of lawyers will not diminish. AI will help reduce the time spent on routine tasks, but the legal system cannot be regulated by AI alone,” she states. “Lawyers will continue to be indispensable in addressing complex legal issues.”

However, she emphasizes that lawyers must now acquire additional skills such as management, project management, design thinking, process and data analytics, and technological proficiency. “Our university continuously updates its law curriculum to align with global trends and market needs, ensuring that lawyers develop relevant competencies,” she adds.

Preparing for the Changes

To adapt to the technological revolution, Dr. Bieliauskaitė advises that lawyers learn to navigate and leverage AI systems while managing the associated risks. “Universities must review their curricula, assess the future roles of lawyers, and provide opportunities for current professionals to develop new competencies,” she suggests. As an example, she mentions an upcoming event organized by Kazimieras Simonavičius University, titled “Innovations in Law and Technology: Applying Artificial Intelligence in Law and Business,” which will offer practical insights into AI innovations and their applications in legal and business contexts.

Developing Future-Ready Skills

Dr. Bieliauskaitė concludes that to adapt to new realities, continuous learning, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability are essential. “The role of creative and critical thinking will only grow in importance, and it is our responsibility in education to create environments where these qualities can thrive,” she asserts.