Introduction to the Digital Divide and AI Tools
It is undoubtedly an exciting time to be a law student. The intersection of law and technology offers a novel opportunity to reimagine parts of the legal landscape. While technological advancements have increased access to justice in several ways, including by making legal information and virtual services more accessible, a digital divide remains.
The digital divide refers to the knowledge and skill gap between those who have access to technology and have developed digital literacy, and those who do not. For example, previously incarcerated individuals who have had limited exposure to technology and the internet may struggle to navigate and use digital resources. As we witness the development of increasingly sophisticated sources for legal information online, it is important that we ensure they are accessible to everyone, including those who have been impacted by the digital divide.
The introduction of AI-based tools offers the possibility of improved efficiency and quality of legal services by streamlining legal research, drafting, and editing processes. However, these developments have the dual potential to deepen the digital divide for those who do not have access to well-trained AI tools, such as those created for exclusive use within large law firms or can only be accessed on expensive legal research platforms.
Pro Bono’s Anticipatory Response
Pro Bono Dalhousie’s mandate is to increase and foster access to justice initiatives principally in Nova Scotia, with some projects’ reach spanning across Canada. Each year, approximately a third of Schulich students volunteer under the supervision of lawyers and professionals to provide legal research and related services, without charge, to organizations and individuals in need. The docket of projects offered evolves each year to meet both the needs of the community and the interests of the student body. As a rapidly emerging area of interest, many students are interested in volunteer opportunities for technology-related projects.
For several years, Pro Bono Dalhousie has worked on developing new pro bono opportunities in the law and technology space. While many other pressing access to justice issues remain dominant in the scope of projects we offer, we are preparing to respond to an increase in technology-related barriers.
This year, Pro Bono Dalhousie is excited to launch a Non-Profit Privacy Law Compliance Clinic in partnership with a team of supervising lawyers at McCarthy Tétrault LLP. Volunteers at the Clinic will provide general privacy advising services to nonprofit organizations to assist in their compliance with data privacy laws and best practices. This is a space where access to justice issues related to technology have manifested, as nonprofits often lack the financial resources and in-house expertise to access specialized advising on privacy issues. The creation of the Clinic is one avenue that Pro Bono Dalhousie is pursuing to stay ahead of the curve in combating access to justice issues in law and technology.
Next Steps
We hope to continue working with students and the legal community to identify and respond to access to justice issues on the cutting edge of legal innovation. Members of the law school community who have ideas or suggestions for projects and solutions in this space are encouraged to reach out to us at probono@dal.ca.
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