Chapter 7: Exercises

Below are five exercises designed to help you explore the real-world impact of generative AI on the business and practice of law discussed in Chapter 7.

Each exercise is intended for Perplexity’s Deep Research feature (http://perplexity.ai/). Each exercise involves searching, reading, and synthesizing information in a dynamic, hands-on way.

Exercise 1: Surveying Real-World Case Studies

  1. Search Prompt:
    “Law firms integrating generative AI for contract analysis”
  2. Action:
    • Use Perplexity’s Deep Research to find two or three case studies of law firms that have implemented AI tools (e.g., Wilson Sonsini, Allen & Overy, etc.).
    • Summarize each case study’s key points: the business challenge, the AI solution, and the outcome.
  3. Reflection:
    • In 2–3 sentences, note any common themes you see in how these firms balanced efficiency and ethical oversight.

Exercise 2: AI’s Impact on Junior vs. Senior Roles

  1. Search Prompt:
    “Shifting legal roles due to AI, junior associates and senior lawyers responsibilities”
  2. Action:
    • Locate recent articles or reports that discuss how AI is reshaping staffing and career trajectories in law firms.
    • Create a two-column table: Column A for junior associate impacts, Column B for senior lawyers. Fill it with at least three bullet points each, drawn from your research.
  3. Reflection:
    • Write a brief paragraph explaining how AI might accelerate some career paths while potentially reducing demand for other entry-level legal tasks.

Exercise 3: Tracking Fee Model Innovations

  1. Search Prompt:
    “Alternative fee structures in law firms driven by AI efficiency”
  2. Action:
    • Explore Perplexity’s results on flat fees, subscriptions, and value-based billing models that have emerged due to AI-driven cost savings.
    • Compile a short list of at least three examples where firms have pivoted away from traditional hourly billing, noting the benefit to clients (e.g., reduced cost, predictability).
  3. Reflection:
    • Which new fee model do you think has the most potential, and why? (1–2 sentences)

Exercise 4: Investigating Jevons’, Moravec’s Paradoxes & Irony

  1. Search Prompt:
    “Jevons’ Paradox, Moravec’s Paradox, and Moravec’s Irony in legal professions”
  2. Action:
    • Read at least two articles or discussions on how these paradoxes might apply to law.
    • Draft three bullet points explaining how each paradox (or irony) could manifest in a law firm adopting AI. For example:
      • Jevons’ Paradox → More tasks become “AI-enabled” → total legal services demand might rise
      • Moravec’s Paradox → Advanced legal tasks are easy for AI, but human judgment remains difficult to automate
      • Moravec’s Irony → Lawyers fear displacement yet want instant AI solutions
  3. Reflection:
    • In 1–2 sentences, state which paradox resonates most with your own perception of AI in law and why.

Exercise 5: Synthesizing Data for a Mini-Report

  1. Search Prompt:
    “Latest data on AI adoption rates, efficiency gains, and law firm transformation”
  2. Action:
    • Use Perplexity’s Deep Research to gather key facts and figures (e.g., adoption rates, hours saved, cost reductions).
    • Create a mini-report (4–5 bullet points) summarizing the data you found. Organize it under short headings such as Adoption Trends, Efficiency Gains, Business Model Shifts.
  3. Reflection:
    • Conclude with a 1–2 sentence personal insight on how these stats align (or clash) with your own observations from earlier exercises.

Tip: As you complete each exercise, remember to check Perplexity’s cited sources and evaluate whether the data or commentary comes from reputable legal-industry experts, mainstream news outlets, or academic research. This ensures you practice both information discovery and critical analysis skills.