Implementing AI: A Step-by-Step Guide for Your Court

When it comes to setting annual goals, implementing tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) is on the list for a large number of courts. Given the topics we’ve covered in recent posts — efficiency, revenue, morale gains — it’s not hard to see why.

• Blog 1: Navigating AI: A Beginner’s Guide for Court Professionals
• Blog 2: Unblocking Justice: AI Solutions for Common Court Challenges

In this final blog in our series, you’ll get step-by-step advice on what to do next if your court is interested in implementing AI.

Where to Start With AI

Not sure where to begin when it comes to implementing AI in your court? A crawl-walk-run scenario works well. We suggest the following steps:

1. To crawl, digitize your workflows. You can take small steps toward automation by implementing an electronic filing solution. It could be as easy as scanning documents for input into court systems instead of relying on paper. Or, you might be ready to move to a paperless intake solution, like Tyler Technologies’ eFile & Serve. Either way, this non-AI-powered step sets your team up for streamlined workflows, optimized filing processes, decreased operational costs, and improved service for court constituents. It’s the perfect precursor to AI.
    
2. To walk, look for opportunities to automate simple, repetitive tasks. Something like redaction works well. Tasks like this are very safe to automate given the simplistic, rules-based nature of the work. Your team will quickly see the benefits of even the simplest AI-based tools. And it’ll build trust in the concept of automation overall.
    
3. To run, look for meatier opportunities to automate processes; things like data extraction and document classification using robotic process automation (RPA). Much like automated redaction, tasks like these are rules-based, which makes it seamless to hand over to AI. There’s a lot to be gained in terms of data processing efficiency and reduction of human-caused error. It’s another low-risk, high-reward AI-based opportunity for your team.

What to Be Ready For Following Implementation

Before you even embark on your integration of court-based AI, it’s important to know what to expect on the other side of implementation. In our experience, three things are near-universally experienced:

1. There’s (understandable) apprehension. ChatGPT “hallucinations” and AI-gone-rogue errors are all over the news. Not everyone understands there’s a lot of different types of AI. Generative AI is the one making headlines. These tools travel out to the broader internet for source material and invent answers all on their own. Rules-based process automation is an entirely different thing. It’s built in a closed system within only your court, it operates on the same rules human employees would, and it can always be managed with oversight from a “human in the loop.” It’s one of the safest varieties of AI you can implement. Post-implementation there may be jitters, but the difference with this type of AI will soon be easy for your team to see.
    
2. AI tools come with a bit of a learning curve. The best AI implementation partners will prepare you well with self-serve reference tools and team-wide education. Even so, all new tools take a little getting used to.
    
3. You’re going to get a lot more done, almost instantly. This will be a boon for morale, your backlog, and even your court’s reputation. Make the most of the moment by capturing a little purposeful positive attention. Plan a press campaign to share the news about becoming a technology-forward, modern-day court.

6 Attributes of a Good AI Partner

A lot of AI implementation ease is achieved by picking the right solutions partner. Here are six characteristics we recommend you prioritize in your search:

1. Legal expertise: Look for an AI partner with a strong foundation in legal knowledge and a deep understanding of a court’s nuanced needs. This is crucial for accurate and contextually relevant decision-making as you embark on implementation of AI.
    
2. Flexibility: Look for a solution that will meet the specific needs of your courtroom workflows. It should seamlessly integrate with a wide variety of systems, minimize workflow disruptions, and adapt to your team’s precise requirements.
    
3. Scalability: Assess whether the AI solution in question can scale as your courtroom and workflows evolve. You’ll want to be able to handle increasing data volumes, additional groups of users, simple modifications of rules, and easy integration of any future tools.
    
4. Availability of training and support: Consider the level of education and support made available by the AI tool provider or implementation partner. Onboarding training for your team, self-serve educational resources, and support on demand are all common offerings to look out for.
    
5. Return on investment (ROI): Evaluate the overall cost of implementing and maintaining any AI solution. Assess the potential for a positive ROI. Consider both short- and longer-term gains over your current system.
    
6. Data security and privacy compliance: This is a generally foundational element, but crucial for implementation within a justice system. Prioritize partners that adequately demonstrate adherence to the highest standards in data security and privacy, and tools that ensure all data remains contained in the court’s closed-and-private system. Compliance with relevant regulations, such as the Genereal Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or HIPAA, are a must.

Picking the Best Solution for Your Needs

All that’s left from this point is to window shop, meet with potential partners, and decide on the solution and provider that best fits your needs. To aid in the process, we suggest:

• Creating a list of your most vital internal stakeholders who need to vet the available options. Start with the most prominent users, your IT team, and management.
   
• Compare options and their available integrations against your current technology stack. Look for the right features in an option that works well with your existing investments.
   
• Explicitly outline all the proposed costs. Have each potential AI provider outline direct and indirect costs you’ll need to cover and on what timeline.
   
• Review suggested implementation plans for feasibility and timeliness. Ensure your team has the bandwidth to accommodate the proposed window of change.
   
• Seek feedback from existing tool users. Read case studies, whitepapers, and all available online reviews.

Based on the facts gathered, choose a partner and dive in. If you’d like to talk about modernizing operations in your court, our experts in the automated document processing would love to talk.

Unblocking Justice: AI Solutions for Common Court Challenges

See how non-generative AI solutions for courts are emerging as a clear leader in the effort to transform traditional practices and overcome four common hurdles.