A&O Shearman publishes advice for using AI “responsibly” in applications

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Mega firm A&O Shearman has released guidance for students on the use of AI in training contract and vacation scheme applications.

The guidance, which isn’t a list of dos and don’ts,  encourages aspiring lawyers to not use AI to exaggerate their skills but rather to use the technology to “complement” them. The firm emphasises the importance of honesty in applications and warns that not being honest “could hinder your chances of finding a career that’s right for your abilities and aspirations and lead to serious consequences down the line”.

The firm also advises against using AI’s responses “word for word”, while highlighting the need for responses to be “authentic and aligned to the organisation’s values, competencies, and attributes”.

Other tips from the firm include using AI to:

• refine CVs, applications and written responses, including checking for errors; and
• help candidates prepare for interviews, including asking the technology to provide feedback on responses.

Finally, the guidance reminds students who’ve used AI for their applications and/or preparation to be prepared to discuss how they’ve used it: “We’re interested in the questions you asked AI and how you refined the responses from it.”

A&O Shearman uses a range of AI tools in its own work, such as Harvey AI. This programme uses natural language processing, machine learning and data analytics to automate and enhance various aspects of legal work. The firm also created Contract Matrix, in collaboration with Harvey and Microsoft, which helps lawyers with contract drafting and reviewing.

Read this Oracle for more information about using AI in your applications.