Tom's Tech Tips: Foster a Winning AI Mindset

Hey there Legal Rebels! 👋

This week I’m adding something different.

I’m kicking off a new segment I’m calling “Tom’s Tech Tips.”

I enjoy writing the long form content you’ve come to know (and hopefully love), but I want to offer you some more variety by mixing in shorter form content like this. And, to be transparent, it does take longer to write the longer articles.

In Tech Tips, I’ll focus on one, bite size concept and provide you with useful insight and advice. I also encourage your feedback and questions. Maybe I’ll feature your question in an upcoming episode!

I hope you like it!

This substack, LawDroid Manifesto, is here to keep you in the loop about the intersection of AI and the law. Please share this article with your friends and colleagues and remember to tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Mindset: Your Cheat Code to AI Success

If you want to harness the power of AI in your legal practice and stay ahead of the curve, you need to listen to this episode. Tom discusses the importance of having the right mindset when using AI in the legal profession. He emphasizes that the key to success with AI is not about using the latest models, but rather about approaching AI with curiosity, open-mindedness, and realistic expectations.

Key Takeaways:

• Don't expect AI to be perfect or have outsized expectations. If an AI doesn't perform a task perfectly, don't give up on it entirely.

• Foster a curious and open-minded approach to AI. Experiment and learn about AI's capabilities and limitations.

• Avoid thinking of AI as an "oracle" that knows everything and will provide perfect results at the push of a button. This mindset leads to bad outcomes like the Schwartz case.

• Think of AI as a helpful assistant that is there to help you succeed, not replace you. Clients still need the emotional connection and peace of mind that lawyers provide.

• Use AI as a creative collaborator to help generate ideas, create first drafts, and provide a starting point rather than facing a blank page. Then use your critical thinking to revise and edit.

By adopting the mindset of AI as a helpful assistant and creative collaborator, lawyers can develop a superpower that sets them apart. Communicating clearly with AI about what you are trying to accomplish will lead to better results. Having the right curious and open-minded approach is key to succeeding with AI tools in legal practice.

Insightful Quotes:

1. "Sometimes we're the problem. Sometimes it has to do with, you guessed it, our mindset and how we approach AI, what our expectations are, and maybe not having a firm grasp of what its strengths and weaknesses are."

2. "The lawyer that uses AI is going to push you out. Is going to be more successful. Is going to learn how it works. And so when the next iteration of AI comes down the road, they're going to get it. And you don't want to be left behind."

3. "That kind of mindset, where you expect magic, where your expectations are so high, that if it doesn't do, if it doesn't perform magic and falls short, that leads to a lot of bad outcomes."

4. "The best mindset to have when working with AI is to think of it as a helpful assistant. It, like, let's say R2 D2, is there to be at our side as a helpful co pilot that can get us through that next battle that we have to face and help us succeed."

5. "I truly believe that if you have that mindset, you will have a superpower that other lawyers don't have."

Closing Thoughts

Alright, my fellow legal innovators, that's a wrap on today's deep dive into the AI mindset. I hope you're feeling inspired and empowered to embrace AI as your trusty sidekick on this wild ride we call the legal profession.

Remember, success with AI isn't about chasing the shiniest new model or expecting magical results. It's about rolling up your sleeves, getting curious, and collaborating with AI to take your practice to new heights.

So don't be that lawyer who gets left in the dust while others are soaring with AI superpowers. Adopt that open and adventurous mindset, and watch as you blaze trails and set new precedents in the age of legal tech.

As always, I'm here to guide you on this journey. If you've got burning questions or just want to geek out about the future of law and AI, drop me a line. Your thoughts and experiences are the fuel that keeps LawDroid Manifesto flying high.

Until next time, keep innovating and keep embracing that game-changing AI mindset. The legal profession is transforming before our eyes, and I can't wait to see the mark you'll leave on it.

Happy exploring, my friends!

Need Your Feedback

Please share your thoughts. Did you enjoy it? Not so much? What other topics would you like to hear about? Tell me in the comments!

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