On February 11, 2019, President Trump signed an executive order that asks federal agencies to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their daily operations. Known as the American AI Initiative, this executive order promotes the use of AI in federal agencies.

A few key features of the order include:

• Federal agencies should allocate more resources and funding to AI research and development to continually enhance the country’s economy and national security.
• AI technology training is crucial for American workers to stay competitive in many current and future industries.
• When using AI solutions, privacy protection is key.
• Federal agencies should explore collaboration with the private sector on AI efforts.

The overall mission of this order is to recognize the growing importance of AI globally and to keep the U.S. as a world leader in AI technology. The government will need to perform significant research, create standards about AI usage, and continue education on the subject as AI evolves. As of now, the government is not allocating new money for AI, but instead wants federal agencies to fit it into their current budgets.

Potential Effect on the Legal Community

While geared toward the federal government, this executive order could also revolutionize the legal industry. First, the order promotes collaboration with the public sector. If carried out, this can benefit law firms and legal departments currently using AI or thinking about using AI because they can glean insight from the government’s research and strategies. Federal agencies may also reach out to innovative legal organizations using AI on a regular basis to assist with research and development efforts. Any federal guidelines or regulations will also help legal professionals determine appropriate AI usage and strengthen already established practices within the legal industry.

Additionally, the fact that the government is taking a large step towards embracing AI may help sway lawyers that have been hesitant to use these solutions. As with any new technology, many lawyers and firms have declined to explore AI because they do not want to change their methods. Others are simply afraid this technology will take over their jobs – but if use becomes more commonplace, lawyers will realize this is not the case.  AI can significantly enhance a practice, provide clients with better results, and allow attorneys to spend more time on strategy and risk assessments.

While widespread integration of AI into the legal community will likely still take some time, this executive order should help speed up the process in the legal industry and other areas of the private sector. AI will now become a talking point throughout the country, which will make it harder for organizations to ignore the relevance of this technology in today’s world, as well as the benefits associated with using AI in the corporate sphere. Additionally, more clients may begin to inquire about this technology and seek innovative organizations who use it.

As with every new business endeavor, keeping informed about potential risks is necessary. As federal agencies begin to conduct research about how AI has worked both in the U.S. and globally, they will be able to better assess any downfalls associated with certain technologies. For example, some solutions may prove to have higher security risks that could violate privacy. Knowing this can help legal professionals better understand these risks and choose a program that works best for their specific needs and goals.