Neil Stevenson

The response draws on the SLCC’s experience as both a legal sector co-regulator and a public body. In particular, the SLCC has highlighted the need to consider how to encourage the use of new AI technologies and remove barriers, whilst ensuring regulation and risk is managed and the public protected.

In its response, the SLCC sets outs the opportunity in Scotland to work quickly and collectively to encourage and empower regulatory bodies to be an active part of an AI ecosystem which meets the stated aim of the strategy; for AI to benefit Scotland’s people and organisations.

The SLCC also details some of the potential uses and benefits of AI within the legal sector, including increased consumer choice and accessibility of services, as well as the possible risks and harms, such as bias in decision making impacting unfairly on certain groups, or breaches of data privacy.

SLCC chief executive Neil Stevenson said: “We were pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion. While it might not look like a priority, there is a very high likelihood that we at the SLCC will soon be dealing with complaints where part of a legal service has been delivered by artificial intelligence. We also need to look for ways to make regulation and complaints handling more cost effective, and AI may well offer new solutions for regulators.

“We also think there is a specific opportunity fast approaching to use planned reform of legal regulation in Scotland as a flagship opportunity for empowering regulators to be an effective part of an AI ecosystem which encourages innovation and has appropriate safeguards.”