Ellyssa Kroski, the Director of Information Technology at the New York Law Institute assembled a group of law library and technology thought leaders to contribute to her new book “Law Librarianship in the Age of AI” which was released last week by the American Library Association.
I was honored to have the opportunity to write the introduction to the book.
“The 2018 Altman & Weil Law Firms in Transition Survey reported that only 38% of law firms are actively engaged in experiments to test innovative ideas or methods. This indicates that the vast majority of law firms have a vacuum in innovation leadership waiting to be filled. While all innovation does not require AI– algorithms and analytics will play an important role in the transformation of the business and practice of law over the coming decades. Hopefully this book with inspire reluctant librarians to grab a seat at the innovation table or even set out the innovation agenda at their organizations.” From the Introduction to Law Librarianship in the Information Age.
Kroski’s books is a collection of essays authored by professionals whose names are known on the legal tech speaking circuit: Bob Ambrogi, Steve Lastres, Scott Baily, Saskia Mehlhorn and Jamie Baker.
The book provides a great introduction to the nuts and bolts of AI and a survey of issues confronting legal information professionals. Chapters cover: an overview of AI tools in law, how librarians are embracing AI, the impact of AI on legal research, AI in Legal Education, the risk and ethical challenges of AI and the future of AI in law libraries. One fun chapter teachers readers about machine learning by using machine learning to examine Shakespearean plays.
While the book is targeted primarily at knowledge and library professionals, could also help law firm leaders and Law School Dean’s to understand the critical role that law librarians can and should play in selecting the right AI tools for their organizations.
.Order the book here.