There is much debate about the impact of A.I. on the legal profession, a lot of it centered on potential negative impacts of machines replacing lawyers. As with all tech disruptions (industrial, automotive, internet, mobile) some activities are made redundant, many more new ones are created.

I just read Mega Tech – Technology in 2050 published by The Economist which attempts to predict what the world will be like in 2050. Many fascinating, and some frankly discomforting, concepts (such as our brains being directly connected to the internet through an implanted cortical modem – puts a whole new spin on being hacked.)

There was a short section on the legal profession, which far from predicting gloom shows how data streamlines and opens opportunities for the law to become a mainstream, albeit commoditized service. I know several firms already developing this model. It is timely to look ahead and plan now.

Extract from Mega Tech 2050 – The Economist