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Last month, I asked whether generative artificial intelligence is the answer to the access-to-justice problem. I expressed skepticism, suggesting that capitalism always trumps best intentions. Sure, generative AI could expand access to justice, but would its potential ever be fully realized?
But, maybe, just maybe, my cynicism was misplaced. What if generative AI as an access-to-justice bridge isn’t just a pipe dream? What if partial realization is all we need, enabling us to chip away at the access-to-justice gap, one chatbot at a time?
It certainly sounds like a plausible premise: generative AI chatbots are a feasible way for courts and legal aid organizations to improve access to justice. In theory, by leveraging GenAI’s conversational and responsive capabilities, these institutions can address longstanding barriers in the court system.
But theory is one thing. How does it work in practice? I located some examples and quickly realized that this high-tech gamble might be paying off. Select courts and legal aid groups are already using these tools to benefit the public while also reducing administrative strain by providing self-represented litigants with on-demand legal information and procedural guidance.
Still not convinced? Seeing is believing. Check out some examples of generative AI-powered chatbots available on court and public interest group websites:
- Legal Aid of North Carolina offers the Legal Information Assistant. This generative AI chatbot, which answers questions in English or Spanish, was developed in partnership with LawDroid. It assists litigants in obtaining answers to an array of legal questions.
- The Nevada Supreme Court recently released a generative AI-powered chatbot. It was developed by CiviLaw.Tech for the Nevada Supreme Court and offers easy-to-understand legal guidance in multiple languages, helping individuals understand their options and the procedural steps they need to take.
- Missouri Tenant Help, developed by Lemma Legal, is an online resource for Missouri tenants seeking legal support. This intake screening tool assists with determining eligibility for assistance before speaking with program staff.
- SANDI is a chatbot available on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida’s website. It was funded by a federal grant from the State Justice Institute, in collaboration with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and Advanced Robot Solutions, which developed this AI-powered digital assistant.
- The Law Center for Better Housing, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, and the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois worked together to roll out an AI chatbot, Illinois Intervention. This virtual assistant assists Illinois tenants seeking assistance with housing issues, providing information and resources on housing rights.
These examples showcase how generative AI chatbots are beginning to reduce the barriers faced by self-represented litigants. That sounds great, but not so fast.
While the potential of these tools is undeniable, it’s important to temper enthusiasm with a healthy dose of realism. The tools deployed thus far show promise but are far from comprehensive. These endeavors address specific, often narrow, legal needs. To remain impactful, ongoing maintenance and thoughtful design will be necessary.
Additionally, the success of these chatbots depends on more than just the technology itself. Behind each implementation is a patchwork of grants, partnerships, and organizational buy-ins, which means scaling these efforts is a challenge. The tools might work well in localized contexts, but their broader application remains uncertain, especially in jurisdictions where resources are limited or priorities lie elsewhere.
Even so, these incremental steps matter. Each chatbot in operation today is a test case, showing what’s possible and the pitfalls that remain.
For now, generative AI chatbots aren’t revolutionizing access to justice—far from it. But they are evidence that small, practical gains in access to justice are achievable and that technology can be part of the solution. Whether these efforts can grow into a larger systemic shift remains an open question, one that will require sustained commitment, funding, and innovation to answer.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney and Director of Business and Community Relations at MyCase, web-based law practice management software. She’s been blogging since 2005, has written a weekly column for the Daily Record since 2007, is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York. She’s easily distracted by the potential of bright and shiny tech gadgets, along with good food and wine. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikiblack and she can be reached at [email protected].