Introduction

This chapter will focus on the uses of AI in the workplace and the importance of ethics when using AI tools in the legal field. AI is a new and evolving technology, and it is important to know what generative AI is, what its potential uses are in the law office, and what the Law Society rules are when it comes to using AI for tasks. It is also important to understand the ethics involved in using generative AI and the consequences it can have when misused.

What is Generative AI?

Generative Artificial Intelligence, or Generative AI, is defined by the Law Society of Alberta (2024) as being a “type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, or audio, based on some input or prompt” (p.1). Simply typing in precisely what you would like the AI to do will create that within minutes of receiving your instructions. One way to think of how generative AI technology works is that there are three stages: the input, analysis, and output (Queen’s University, 2025).

This technology can drastically improve the overall efficiency of a task, as it will take minutes to complete a task that could have otherwise taken hours or even days to complete, depending on the complexity. AI can be used for many things in the law office, including drafting documents or correspondence and researching a legal issue. The Law Society of Alberta suggests that Generative AI can be used to proofread documents, summarize complex documents, and generate ideas for writing a document.

Although AI can improve the overall efficiency of work, it also has drawbacks and risks that must be considered. The University of Alberta (2025) lists some of the issues to consider when using Generative AI, such as;

• Hallucinations: This term describes when AI produces information that does not exist. The AI creates false cases that relate to the information it was given. It is important to fact-check the cases that the AI produces to ensure that they are real cases and are not cases that the AI hallucinated.
• Errors: When using AI, it is important to check for errors, as it can produce inaccurate or biased information depending on the given information.
• Tasks: Although generative AI is seen as a tool that can do virtually anything, it does have its limits. There may be some tasks that the AI cannot complete, depending on the advancement of the program you are using.

It is important to keep these points in mind as you explore the uses of AI and how it can benefit you and the work you conduct. Generative AI can simplify tasks and increase efficiency. However, it is also important to double-check the information it produces, as there are risks and limitations to what it can do.

How To Use Generative AI 

Using Prompts with Generative AI

AI is a new and evolving technology, constantly changing as technology advances. It may seem like a daunting task to figure out how to use AI and how to utilize it in a law office; however, there is a quick guide created by the University of Alberta (2025) that can be used to assist in creating the right prompts to generate the information needed.

The University of Alberta (2025) recommends using the 5P method. The 5Ps each represent a category that can be used when writing a prompt for the generative AI to produce information. The 5P’s are as follows:

Using the 5P method suggested by the University of Alberta can drastically improve how you use AI, depending on what type of information you need to obtain. For more information on using AI in legal research, follow the University of Alberta’s guide.

Assessing Generative AI information 

After obtaining the information provided by the AI, it is important to learn how to assess the information to validate its accuracy properly. As discussed previously, AI has limitations and can produce hallucinations, errors in data, and potentially biased information. So, although it can be a helpful tool when conducting tasks, it is important to know how to assess the accuracy and validity of the information the AI is giving you. Queen’s University (2025) suggests using five steps to measure the AI-generated content. The steps are as follows;

Assess System Limitations:

This step analyzes how the AI system works, which in turn helps us understand how it generates the data it gives us. One way to look at this is by using the 3-layer model (Queen’s University, 2025). The three layers comprise the input, analysis, and output layers. The input layer consists of the data on which the system operates. Consider how current the data the system uses is, and if there is any human bias in the data. The second layer is the analysis layer, where the system interprets the data given. Again, be sure to consider if there is any bias in the data and if the system tells you how it analyzes the data. The last layer is the output layer, which is the result that the system gives you after inputting the initial data. Consider again if there is any bias in the AI data, if anything is missing from the results, and if you can train the AI to help it learn how to perform tasks.

Overall, assessing the AI system itself is important to ensure that it will give you accurate, current, and non-biased data. The 3-step method suggested by Queen’s University is an excellent way to assess the system you are using.

Verify Information:

As mentioned previously, AI tools can generate hallucinations, which are inaccurate information or cases that do not exist (Queen’s University, 2025). It is important to double-check the sources and information the AI gives you to verify that the cases and information exist. One way to do this is to find the information in a legal database such as CanLII or Westlaw, review the source to ensure the reference is accurate, and then note the source to refer to in your reference guide.

Compare with Other Sources:

Although generative AI is helpful, conducting separate research to find your own information is important, as you should not rely solely on the AI content as sources that are behind a paywall, like those found in legal databases (aside from CanLII), will not be found using a non-AI platform. With this step, be sure to research legal databases such as CanLII and Westlaw to find additional information that can help aid in your legal research.

Update for Currency:

Do not assume that the information given to you by the generative AI is current (Queen’s University, 2025). Not all systems will rely on the most current information, so it is important to do additional research to ensure that the data is current or if there is a new law that must be referred to instead. Some AI platforms may show how current the information is, but this is not always the case, so additional research may be necessary.

Take Steps to Address Bias:

The last step that Queen’s University (2025) suggests is to check to see if any bias is evident in your given data, both by checking for bias in your initial prompt and also within the output, as this can affect the outcome of the results.

These steps suggested by Queen’s University can help in the process of using AI tools. AI can help streamline legal research, but it is important to ensure that the information you are given is valid, accurate, and free from error and bias. Following the above steps will aid in that process to ensure that accurate information is given. AI is an effective tool, but should not be the only source of information used when conducting research. It is still important to fact-check the information you are given and to do your additional research.

AI Databases 

Many different types of generative AI databases can be used, and each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the task you need completed. Before using a platform to conduct your task, ensure that it is reliable and can accurately complete the task you need. In addition, it is important to note that some platforms require a subscription. If your law firm has a subscription to a generative AI platform, taking advantage of this tool is beneficial. However, if your law firm has no subscription, numerous platforms are free for public use. Below is a list of different platforms that can be used.

AI Policies in the Workplace

With AI rapidly increasing, ensuring it is used responsibly in a professional setting, such as in the legal field, is important. One way to ensure that all employees within a work setting are using AI responsibly is to develop an AI policy within the law firm to ensure that everyone knows how to use the AI appropriately (The Law Society of Alberta, 2024). If your firm does not already have a policy in place, the Law Society of Alberta has a reference guide on what information should be included in this policy. Within the Law Society of Alberta’s (2024) guide, they suggest including:

• Examples of Permitted Use – Explain what an employee can use generative AI for and give examples of what this may look like.
• Examples of Prohibited Use – Explain what an employee should not use the generative AI tool for.
• Liability – What happens if an employee inappropriately uses the AI?
• Disclosure – Being open with clients when generative AI is used in their case.
• Monitoring – Have a clause stating that the firm can monitor how AI is used.
• Confidentiality and Privacy – Have a clause that states the importance of confidentiality and privacy of client information. Ensure that sensitive information does not get breached.

These are just a few examples of clauses that can be implemented into a law firm’s policy on the use of AI. Each firm will have its own policies that its employees must follow. What should remain the same, however, is that the AI is used responsibly and the client’s interests are at the forefront to ensure that they can rely on the services they are paying for. The Law Society of Alberta has several suggestions for implementing an AI policy in a law firm.

Summary

AI is a rapidly evolving technology that is increasing in use. This is a tool that, when used effectively, can drastically improve work output, but it must be appropriately used to ensure that accurate information is being produced. At the forefront, the clients’ interests should be the number one priority to ensure that they get the quality service they are paying for to help them with their matters, as they are entrusting the law firm to help them during a time of need. Using generative can be a great tool to improve the work needed for the client’s case, but it must be used appropriately to protect their interests.

Reflection Questions

1. Can you think of a situation in which relying too heavily on generative AI might create risk for a legal professional or their client? What would be the consequences?
2. After reading about the cases where lawyers submitted hallucinated case law, how do you think legal regulators should respond to such incidents?
3. How can a law firm balance the efficiency offered by AI with its obligation to act ethically and competently for clients?
4. As a paralegal or legal assistant, how might your use of generative AI tools, both responsibly and irresponsibly, impact the lawyer you work with? Consider how your actions could influence the lawyer’s reputation, ethical obligations, or the outcome of a client’s matter.

Glossary Terms

1. Generative AI – A type of artificial intelligence that creates new content such as text, images, or audio in response to a prompt.
2. Hallucination  – The phenomenon where AI generates fabricated or inaccurate information, such as fictitious case law.
3. 5P Method – A structured approach to prompt engineering, consisting of Prime, Prompt, Persona, Product, and Polish, by the University of Alberta.
4. Legal Ethics – A legal professional’s duty to act competently, ethically, and in the client’s best interest.
5. Bias in AI – Systematic error or skewed results generated by AI due to the nature of the data it was trained on.
6. AI Policy – A workplace policy that outlines permitted and prohibited uses of AI, along with clauses on privacy, liability, and disclosure.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is one major benefit of using generative AI in a law office?
2. What are two common risks of relying on generative AI for legal research?
3. What does the ‘Prime’ step in the 5P method involve?
4. Why is it important to verify AI-generated information using legal databases like CanLII or Westlaw?

References