Big Law’s AI Challenge Drives New Conversation About Training

Michael Best & Friedrich blocks its lawyers and staff from using ChatGPT on the job.

The law firm made the decision to ban internal use of open-source generative AI tools after consulting some of its clients, according to Sarah Alt, Michael Best’s chief process and AI officer. The move also followed feedback from the firm’s insurers, she said.

A key question the firm needed to answer, Alt said, is could Michael Best use the power of such publicly accessible programs while making sure it’s “a safer place” for staff and clients? The answer was “no,” she said, especially given that ...