Search No More? How Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI are Changing eDiscovery

In 2024, the landscape of eDiscovery is poised for a revolutionary shift, as large language models (LLMs) and generative AI (GAI) emerge as formidable contenders to replace traditional keyword searches, according to an article by Veritas. This bold assertion challenges conventional methods and predicts a seismic transformation not only in eDiscovery but also across society. The proliferation of LLMs and GAI in various sectors, including business and web browsing, underscores their growing influence.

Legal technology is not exempt from this wave of innovation. Events like the 2024 Legalweek conference in New York highlight the increasing presence of AI and generative AI in legal practices. LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters have already rolled out AI-powered solutions for legal research, signaling a departure from traditional keyword-based approaches. As new lawyers are trained to utilize AI-driven chatbots for research, they naturally gravitate towards query-based methods, setting the stage for a paradigm shift in eDiscovery.

The State of the Industry report for 2024, produced by eDiscovery Today, reveals that a significant majority of respondents anticipate LLMs/GAI to reshape workflows, with nearly a quarter expecting a transformative impact within the year. This shift is driven by three key advantages of LLMs/GAI over keyword searching:

• LLMs and GAI streamline the search process with straightforward chat commands, eliminating the complexities of keyword variations and Boolean logic.
• Unlike keyword searches, LLMs and GAI retrieve documents based on conceptual relevance, expanding search results beyond specific search terms to include related concepts.
• LLMs provide ranked document lists with confidence levels and explanations, accelerating the understanding of document collections.

While concerns about hallucinations persist, targeted applications and ongoing technological advancements mitigate these risks. Ultimately, the transition from keyword searches to LLMs/GAI in eDiscovery promises enhanced efficiency and accuracy, ushering in a new era of legal technology.