Looking For Legal Advice? Half of Brits Would Ask AI Over a Lawyer

It seems AI is no longer just helping us draft passive-aggressive emails or plan our weekly meal prep – now it is moonlighting as our legal advisor. According to new research from The Legal Director, half of UK adults would happily ask AI for legal advice, proving that ChatGPT might be the closest some of us will ever get to a solicitor.

The survey revealed that 56% of Brits would trust AI to read contracts or decode the legal jargon in your streaming service’s Ts & Cs, possibly because no human has ever actually read those. But things get interesting when you compare AI to our real-life relationships. Brits would rather consult AI for legal help than ask a mate (32%) or even take its advice on health (46%). Imagine trusting a robot with your divorce paperwork but not your cold symptoms.

MORE: This Website Allows You To Print Off A Memoir Written By AI

DISCOVER: Tech Detox: how to set healthy boundaries with your devices

Image @bibilioailurophile via Pinterest

Unsurprisingly, men are leading the AI solicitor trend, with 55% saying they would use it for legal matters, compared to a still-pretty-high 47% of women. And when it comes to age, Gen Z are the most pro-AI generation, while 61% of those aged 75+ want nothing to do with robo-lawyers.

But before we hand over our prenups to a chatbot, the experts have a few warnings. Kiley Tan, lawyer at The Legal Director, explains: “Legal services can be expensive and there’s no doubt that AI seems like a clever workaround. But when it comes to law, large language models are not fit for purpose. They’re not trained on verified legal content and they don’t understand legal context. The result might look convincing but could be wildly inaccurate. And in law, close isn’t good enough.” (The Legal Director). Basically, AI might sound like a lawyer, but it’s probably bluffing.

MORE: Do AI Therapists Actually Work?

DISCOVER: AI Therapists Outperform Human Therapists When It Comes To Couples Counselling

Image @Love_Becca via Pinterest

The data also showed that the more personal or risky the task, the less likely people are to trust AI. While we are (just about) comfortable letting it skim-read our contracts, 65% of people said they wouldn’t trust it to perform surgery, and 50% would not let it plan their wedding – fair, since no one wants their first dance playlist chosen by an algorithm.

MORE: I Tried the World’s First AI-yurvedic Skin Scan: Here’s What Happened

DISCOVER: ‘AI’ searches rocket to the highest point in history

Sarah Clark, Chief Revenue Officer at The Legal Director, sums it up best: “AI is brilliant for tasks like scheduling, sorting data or speeding up admin, but when it comes to complex areas like legal advice, it’s crucial not to put too much trust in technology alone.” (The Legal Director).

So for now, maybe let your chatbot book your haircut, not write your will.