In this episode of Bytes of Ingenuity, host Nick Newsom explores the transformative power of Large Language Models (LLMs) in the legal realm with computer science professor and AI expert, Amer Mouawad. As LLMs capture the public's imagination, this discussion delves into how they can revolutionize legal research and elevate legal practice. Amer reveals how LLMs can provide relevant suggestions and efficient assistance to legal professionals, saving them valuable time. The episode also highlights exciting legal AI tools in development, including those that simplify legal jargon for citizens and fact-check public statements for legality. Addressing concerns about data confidentiality, Amer emphasizes the importance of offline LLM hosting to ensure confidentiality. Additionally, he critiques the politicisation of AI development, advocating for open-source models and collaboration between diverse experts to create tools that serve the public good.   01:20 - What are LLMs and how do they work? 02:15 - Grounding LLMs in legal context 05:33 - Legal AI and the future of legal practice  10:56 - Confidentiality and data protection 13:59 - The impact on labour and education 17:22 - Democratizing legal expertise 19:04 - Legal fact-checking and misinformation 20:34 - Digital literacy, AI safety and open-source models 25:00 - The role of the state and data availability 29:04 -The state of AI in the Middle East 33:19 - Blending theory and practices Further reading AI's transformative potential for the legal sector On removing bias from legal LLMs Legal checking: putting law back at the heart of public debate  Read a full transcript of the episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.