Criminal Law Library BlogArticles Posted in Information Technology
Evaluating DeepSeek for Legal Research: Capabilities, Risks, and Comparisons
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous industries, and legal research is no exception. Emerging AI-powered tools have introduced new efficiencies in case law analysis, contract review, compliance monitoring, and legal document automation. Among these innovations, DeepSeek, an open-source large language model (LLM), has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize legal research support systems.
DeepSeek offers advanced reasoning capabilities, text summarization, and document analysis functions that could significantly enhance legal workflows. Its open-source nature and adaptability set it apart from proprietary legal research platforms such as Westlaw Edge, LexisNexis, and Casetext’s CoCounsel. However, its viability as a legal research tool must be assessed not only in terms of its technological capabilities but also through the lens of accuracy, security, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations.
AI Driven Legal Research and Library Services: A New Era for Law Librarians
Introduction:
Law libraries are undergoing a transformation fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI isn’t replacing law librarians, it has become a powerful tool that is changing how legal research is conducted and how libraries serve their patrons
Modern law librarians leverage AI in various domains – from advanced legal research platforms to automated document handling and chat-based reference assistance – all with the goal of improving efficiency and service quality. By offloading routine or labor-intensive tasks to AI, librarians can focus on higher-level work such as complex research consultations, teaching, and strategic planning. The following overview highlights key AI applications in legal research tools, document automation, and chatbots, explaining how each contributes to enhanced library services.
Potential Impacts of Government Efficiency Reforms Led by Elon Musk on U.S. Government Libraries
Introduction
Materials consulted in preparing this posting were curated from various sources including the recently introduced Deep Research by OpenAI.
With Elon Musk at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency, various agencies within the U.S. government may experience restructuring aimed at streamlining operations, reducing costs, and integrating advanced technologies. One area likely to be affected is government agency libraries—institutions that provide critical research, archival, and information services to federal employees, policymakers, and researchers. These libraries, usually housed within agencies such as the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Department of Defense (DoD), play an essential role in supporting government functions. This essay explores how Musk’s efficiency-driven policies might reshape these libraries, with potential consequences for automation, digitization, data management, funding, privacy and information security. Although the focus of this posting is U.S. government libraries, its implications are far reaching.
2025Privacy and Emerging Technology National Institute
An event hosted by the American Bar Association Science and Technology Law Section.
” Hosted by the ABA Science & Technology Law Section (SciTech), the Privacy and Emerging Technology National Institute combines Privacy with the Section’s Spring Meeting (PRISM). And like a prism, this enlightening conference provides you with opportunities to see and understand privacy and emerging technology legal issues in a different and transformative way. Network with top attorneys, policymakers, and industry experts. Earn 10 CLE credits, including 1 hour of ethics.”
March 20, 2025 – March 21, 2025.
LexisNexis Announces Public Availability of Personalized AI Assistant Protégé
From a Legaltech News posting by Benjamin Joyner , January 27, 2025.
“LexisNexis {has] announced the general availability of Protégé, a personalized artificial intelligence assistant for legal work. The release follows last August’s announcement of Protégé’s commercial preview, which allowed several dozen customers to beta test the product.”
Exploring Microsoft Copilot: An Experiment in AI Powered Q and A
This compilation is part of an experiment, marking the initial use of Microsoft Copilot as a question-and-answer application.
My QUESTION:
“Can you give me a list of the most popular programming languages for beginners, including those with features incorporating artificial intelligence(AI).”
Outcome Litigation Predictions: Theo AI
Theo AI, a cutting-edge generative AI (genAI) startup based in the United States, has positioned itself as the first predictive AI platform designed specifically for litigation. Backed by an impressive $2.2 million in pre-seed funding, the company aims to achieve what no other legal tech firm has successfully accomplished: accurately predicting the outcomes of legal disputes well before their resolution.
The concept of AI-driven litigation prediction is not entirely new—Artificial Lawyer has been reporting on similar applications since 2016. However, Theo AI’s innovative use of genAI technology marks a significant departure from earlier approaches, potentially setting a new benchmark in the field of legal technology.
From Artificial Lawyer November 2024:
The Potential Impact of Forced Chrome Divestiture on Legal Research in Law Libraries: Some Thoughts
The Justice Department’s potential move to compel Google to sell its Chrome browser could significantly reshape the digital landscape, with direct and indirect consequences for the ability of law libraries to utilize computer-assisted legal research (CALR) to serve patrons effectively. This essay explores how such a divestiture might affect CALR resources, access, and functionality, while also considering implications for law libraries’ broader operational frameworks.
- Changes in Browser Compatibility with CALR Platforms
Most computer-assisted legal research tools, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law, are optimized for popular web browsers, including Chrome. Google Chrome’s dominance in the browser market (approximately 60% as of recent statistics) has led developers to prioritize compatibility with Chrome over other browsers. If Chrome’s ownership changes, there is a possibility that its development priorities, security protocols, or support for certain legal research tools could shift. This could necessitate costly adjustments by CALR providers and law libraries.
Technology Standardization Policy Update, Webinar
Sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA), Science and Technology Section.
November 21, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.
“The ABA Science & Technology Law Section’s Technical Standardization Committee (TSC) invites you to a webinar briefing with the latest developments in public policy around technical standards. Prompted by rapid technology developments like those related to artificial intelligence (AI), Congress and the executive branch are working quickly to address observed and potential opportunities and risks posed to tech developers and consumers.”