Can I Trust AI to Answer Questions about Estate Planning?
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We have relied on Internet searches for years, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making Internet searches even faster by providing an automatically generated summary of the answer at the top of the page of search results. We turn to Internet searches and AI Overviews throughout the day – whether we are trying to find a gas station nearby, identify a snake, or learn about medical symptoms.
It is natural that we turn to the Internet with our legal questions as well. Unfortunately, AI is shockingly unreliable when it comes to legal issues such as “How do I avoid probate in NC?” or “Do I need a trust?” In fact, if you type the same legal question in three slightly different ways, the AI Overview might give you three completely different answers. The AI technology used to generate the Google Search summary just isn’t nuanced enough yet to be able to give accurate answers to legal questions.
There are several ways that AI can make mistakes when it comes to questions about the law:
Sometimes AI relies on outdated laws that have been modified or overturned.
AI might cite ancient, irrelevant laws from other English-speaking countries, such as Ireland or Scotland.
AI can be confused by the structure of the law which depends on rules, exceptions to the rules, and exceptions to the exceptions.
AI does not always distinguish between legislation that was proposed and laws that were actually enacted.
AI does not adequately appreciate that the laws are often different from state to state.
It is worth noting that AI Overviews do not usually include disclaimers. But for AI Overviews about legal issues, Google states, “AI response may include mistakes. For legal advice, consult a professional.”
Finding accurate, reliable, and understandable information about wills and trusts can be difficult. At Hillsborough Wills and Trusts, we are happy to provide a free initial consultation to answer your questions and discuss your options to develop an estate plan that provides peace of mind for you and your family.
Call us for a free consultation at 919-245-8440 or contact us today at: https://hillsboroughwills.com/contact.