Episode Description:

In this episode, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore a mind-bending new study where AI bots outperformed humans in changing people’s minds on Reddit — by a long shot. What does this mean for the legal profession, where persuasion is core to the craft?

From evaluating reasoning-first models like OpenAI’s new o3 and Google’s Gemini 2.5, to watching AI walk through logic, fix math errors, and even critique your work with a little snark, Bridget and Jen break down the rapid advancements redefining competence and advocacy in real time.

They also share how memory-enabled AI is reshaping their workflows, the rise of “AI bias” in AI-generated summaries, and the deep implications for lawyers, clients, and law students alike. If AI can generate more persuasive legal arguments — what’s left for us? And how should law schools adapt?

Episode Highlights:

3:54 - AI Aha! Moment: AI Spots Your Blind Spots and Helps You Improve

14:52 What Just Happened: Are We Already Living with AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)?

25:55 -Why AI Wins More Arguments Than Lawyers

Key Discussion Points:

• What the Reddit persuasion study reveals about AI’s rhetorical superpowers.
• How AI memory and voice interfaces are transforming legal workflows and personal insight.
• Why lawyers should expect clients, co-counsel, and judges to already be using AI.
• The double-edged sword of AI hallucinations in reasoning models — and how to prompt around them.
• Real-world use cases for AI-enhanced persuasive strategies in law.
• The future of legal education: How schools might teach persuasion differently in an AI-first world.
• Why lawyers may soon be responding to AI critiques of their own work product.

Keywords

AI persuasion, legal tech, reasoning models, ChatGPT memory, AGI, OpenAI o3, Gemini 2.5, Change My View study, AI hallucinations, legal argumentation, law school innovation, client communication, negotiation, voice mode AI, ElevenLabs, HeyGen, RAG, future of lawyering, professional skills, Reddit bots, rhetorical strategy, legal ethics

About the Podcast

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible that not using AI could soon be seen as unethical for lawyers? Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard dive into two recent Georgia cases where savvy use of AI helped lawyers win major verdicts and why these examples could signal a turning point in professional responsibility.

Along the way, Bridget shares her AI "aha" moment with ChatGPT acting as a woods guide (and porcupine expert), while Jen explores how AI’s voice mode turbocharged her workflow. They also unpack the provocative AI 2027 Report, which predicts a near-future explosion of superintelligent AI and its impact on law, society, and ethics.

From personal injury trials to global AI arms races, this episode challenges listeners to reimagine what “competence” looks like in a rapidly evolving profession and why AI isn’t just a tool, but a future teammate you can’t afford to ignore.

Episode Highlights:

• (02:54) Bridget’s AI Aha: Using ChatGPT as a nature guide and getting schooled on porcupines
• (05:49) Jen’s AI Aha: Voice-mode website editing and using ElevenLabs for hands-free learning
• (9:50) What Just Happened: Exploring the AI 2027 Report and the path to superintelligence
• (19:16) Lawyers, Ethics, and AI: Two Georgia cases show why ethical duties may be shifting
• (23:45) Rethinking Client Advocacy: Why using AI could become a new professional mandate

Key Discussion Points:

• How AI is changing everyday problem-solving and new ways AI assistants boost productivity and creativity in professional work.
• The AI 2027 Forecast: Why researchers believe super intelligent AI could arrive by 2027—and what that means for law and society.
• Two medical malpractice cases illustrate how AI-assisted research and storytelling can transform trial outcomes.
• Why integrating AI thoughtfully may soon be required for ethical, client-centered lawyering.
• What rising anxiety around AI means for lawyers and their clients.
• How AI levels the playing field for plaintiffs’ lawyers, solo practitioners, and small firms.

Keywords:

AI and law, legal ethics, AI 2027 report, superintelligence, legal tech, ChatGPT, ElevenLabs, legal innovation, plaintiff lawyering, change management, client-centered lawyering, trial strategy, research automation, professional responsibility, future of work, AI acceleration

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when AI performs on par with lawyers—and even beats them at key tasks? Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore the implications of the VAL benchmarking report, which compares top legal AI tools to real-life attorneys on real-world tasks. They also break down new research from Wharton’s Ethan Mollick on “cybernetic teammates”—and what it means when AI tools boost not just productivity, but morale. With insights on team design, junior lawyer development, change management, and the emotional impact of AI at work, this episode challenges legal leaders to think beyond tools—and toward transformation.

Episode Highlights:

• (02:16) Bridget’s AI Aha: Convincing a law professor of AI’s potential—live with DeepResearch
• (5:40) Claude meets city government: AI as a behind-the-scenes comms partner
• (11:39) What is a “cybernetic teammate”—and how can AI reshape teamwork?
• (24:57) The VAL benchmarking report: Legal AI tools vs. human lawyers
• (31:34) What AI means for the future of junior lawyers, specialties, and practice area silos

Key Discussion Points:

• The DeepResearch Reveal: Why watching AI in action can convert even the most skeptical lawyers.
• The Cybernetic Teammate: Insights from Ethan Mollick's latest study on AI’s role in boosting performance, knowledge sharing, and emotional engagement.
• Lawyers vs. AI: What VAL’s benchmarking report reveals about AI performance on real legal tasks—and what it doesn’t.
• Beyond Specialization: How AI could break down practice-area silos and return power to the generalist.
• Rethinking Legal Teams: Why junior lawyers might soon work across disciplines—and with AI—as their first teammates.
• Emotions and Engagement: Surprising findings about AI’s impact on how legal professionals feel about their work.
• Training the Next Generation: How legal education and professional development must evolve for the AI era.

Keywords: AI in law, cybernetic teammate, Ethan Mollick, VAL benchmarking, legal education, legal AI tools, legal tech, DeepResearch, team collaboration, Wharton, ChatGPT, Claude, GPT-4, legal transformation, generalist lawyering, emotional engagement, junior lawyers, change management, professional development

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Legal Week edition of 2030 Vision, co-hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack reunite in person to unveil a groundbreaking new online course built to help legal professionals lead through AI-driven change. Designed for law firm leaders, individual lawyers, and legal organizations of all sizes, the course offers actionable frameworks for navigating disruption with confidence and clarity.

Jen and Bridget share behind-the-scenes insights into how the course was created, what makes it different from others on the market, and why mindset—not tools—is the most powerful driver of innovation. From solo practitioners to law students, this course empowers learners to become proactive change agents in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They also explore what it means to build a culture of curiosity, how to move beyond “innovation by press release,” and why learner-centric legal education is the key to staying competitive. With reflections on the future of law, leadership, and scalable education, this episode offers both practical takeaways and big-picture vision.

Explore the new AI course for legal professionals: https://aaaicourse.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=2030vision&utm_campaign=ep20launch

Built for law firm leaders, lawyers, and legal professionals ready to lead through AI-driven change.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Future of Legal Education: Why traditional models no longer meet the moment—and how this new AI course helps close the gap.
• Tools vs. Thinking: The critical difference between using AI and adopting an AI-ready mindset.
• Leadership in Disruption: Why AI change management is more about people and mindset than the technology itself.
• Culture Shift in Law: How fostering curiosity, experimentation, and friendly competition can drive innovation across firms.
• Scaling Innovation: Lessons in learner-centric design and the power of democratizing legal knowledge at scale.
• Inside a Legal Transformation: What the American Arbitration Association’s journey teaches us about overcoming barriers to change.
• Top Skills for the AI Era: The five rising skills legal professionals need—and how firms can help develop them.
• Signals for Future Talent: Why certifications, AI badges, and firm-wide learning are becoming key to attracting the next generation of lawyers.
• Beyond the Course: How partnerships like PLI amplify reach—and what’s coming next for legal education and access to justice.

Keywords:

AI in law, legal education, change management, legal leadership, AI course for lawyers, innovation, legal tech, professional development, culture of curiosity, Legal Week, PLI, ChatGPT, Claude, online learning, AI, law, legal technology, online course, change management, future of law, AAA

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision, Jennifer Leonard and Bridget McCormack dive into the evolving landscape of AI in the legal profession. They share personal experiences with AI tools, discuss the latest advancements in AI models, and explore the implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The conversation touches on the future of legal education, the skills that will define the next generation of lawyers, and why leadership and transparency will be critical in shaping the profession.

Key Discussion Points:

1. How AI is reshaping legal work and the skills needed for success
2. The real-world benefits of AI tools, as experienced by legal professionals
3. Major advancements in AI, including the latest model releases
4. The approach of legal education in adapting to AI-driven changes
5. The impact of AGI on law and society at large
6. The role of leadership in promoting transparency and innovation in law firms
7. How law firms and legal institutions can proactively embrace technology
8. The necessity of strong interpersonal and ethical reasoning skills in future lawyers

Keywords:

AI, law, future of law, legal education, AGI, technology, legal profession, skills, leadership, transparency

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard break down two major AI stories shaking up the legal industry: Elon Musk’s unsolicited $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI and the landmark Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI case, which sets a critical precedent for AI training data and copyright law.

They also explore OpenAI’s new Deep Research tool, which is revolutionizing how legal professionals conduct research. As AI-powered tools become increasingly sophisticated, law firms face urgent questions: How will AI impact legal research? Will legal paywalls survive? And is the legal industry moving too slowly to adapt?

From the growing market for AI training data licensing to AI’s potential role in democratizing legal services, this episode examines how the future of law is being rewritten in real time.

Key Discussion Points:

1. AI Aha! Moment: Why even the free version of AI tools is disrupting legal research.
2. Elon Musk vs. OpenAI: A $97B bid, a legal battle, and what’s really at stake.
3. Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI: The case that could shape AI copyright law for decades.
4. AI Training Data & Copyright: Can AI companies train on proprietary legal headnotes?
5. Legal Paywalls & AI Research: Will legal information stay locked, or is a shift coming?
6. Deep Research & the Future of Legal Tech: How OpenAI’s new tool is changing research and strategy.
7. The Divide in Legal AI Adoption: Why some law firms are embracing AI while others hesitate.
8. The Bigger Picture: What this means for legal education, innovation, and access to justice.

Keywords:

AI, Law, Legal Tech, Generative AI, AI Research, Legal Innovation, OpenAI, Elon Musk, Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI, Copyright Law, AI Training Data, Deep Research, Legal Access, Future of Work, AI in Law

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore how AI is reshaping legal access, communication, and decision-making. They discuss OpenAI’s Deep Research tool and DeepSeq’s disruptive AI model, which could democratize AI and challenge big tech.

Beyond law, they examine AI’s growing role in healthcare and education, while emphasizing that human expertise remains crucial in legal processes. They also tackle how AI-driven tools can lower legal costs, expand access to justice, and streamline dispute resolution, particularly for low-dollar claims that often go unresolved.

While some fear AI will flood courts with frivolous lawsuits, Bridget and Jen argue its real potential lies in making legal services more accessible. With governments and startups investing in AI-powered legal solutions, the profession faces a turning point—one that demands innovation while ensuring fairness and efficiency.

1. AI in Law: The Communication Challenge: How legal professionals can better explain AI’s impact and bridge knowledge gaps.
2. The Human Element in Legal Processes: Why procedural fairness and human connection remain central to justice.
3. Generative AI’s Role in Healthcare & Education: AI as a diagnostic assistant and self-directed learning tool.
4. DeepSeq’s Disruption: A new AI player that could democratize development and challenge the US-China AI race.
5. AI as a 24/7 Thought Partner: Using AI for legal strategy, research, and professional development.
6. Expanding Access to Justice: AI-driven platforms are helping individuals file claims and resolve disputes more efficiently.
7. Balancing Innovation & System Integrity: Addressing concerns about frivolous lawsuits while enhancing legitimate legal claims.
8. AI & Government Solutions: How policymakers and public institutions can use AI to modernize legal infrastructure.

Keywords: AI, Law, Generative AI, Legal Profession, Communication, Education, Healthcare, Deepseq, DeepSeek Technology, AI Infrastructure, OpenAI, Legal Access, Legal Tech, Court Services, Dispute Resolution, Democratization

About the Podcast: 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal job market and what law firms must do to stay competitive. They dive into the World Economic Forum’s Jobs Report 2025 and the Thomson Reuters & Georgetown Report on the State of the Legal Market, breaking down the key findings and their implications for legal professionals.

From the rise of AI-powered legal roles to the leadership challenges law firms face, the hosts discuss the critical skills lawyers will need, the importance of AI strategies at the C-suite level, and how firms can prepare for the coming transformation. With law firms experiencing record profits yet facing mounting pressure to innovate, this episode highlights why 2025 is a pivotal year for the profession.

• AI Aha! Moment: How AI is Transforming Legal Research: The hosts share their AI insights for the week, including how generative AI is being used for legal research, document analysis, and strategic decision-making.
• Defining Persona Prompting & AAA’s AI Innovation Initiative: The hosts explore the concept of persona prompting—how lawyers can use AI to simulate different perspectives, enhance client interactions, and refine legal strategies. They also introduce the American Arbitration Association’s new AI initiative, which focuses on helping legal organizations navigate generative AI, implement change management strategies, and upskill their teams for the future.
• AI and the Future of Legal Jobs: The World Economic Forum’s Jobs Report predicts major shifts in employment, with legal roles evolving due to AI automation and the demand for new skill sets.
• Law Firm Strategy in 2025: The Thomson Reuters & Georgetown Report highlights that while law firms had a strong financial year, only half have begun integrating AI strategy at the leadership level—creating a growing divide in the market.
• Upskilling and Adaptation: With nearly 40% of workers’ core skills expected to change by 2030, legal professionals must embrace analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, and AI literacy to remain competitive.
• The Innovator’s Dilemma in Law: Law firms face the challenge of balancing immediate financial success with long-term strategic innovation—risking stagnation if they fail to invest in AI-driven transformation.
• AI as a Competitive Advantage: Forward-thinking firms are leveraging AI to enhance client services, streamline legal research, and improve operational efficiency—while those lagging behind may struggle to attract top talent.
• Leadership in the AI Era: Effective law firm leaders will need curiosity, courage, and humility to guide their firms through the rapid changes ahead. Successful firms will foster collaboration across legal, tech, and business professionals to shape the future of legal services.

Keywords: AI, Legal Jobs, Law Firm Strategy, AI Leadership, Future of Legal Work, AI Upskilling, AI in Law, Legal Market Trends, World Economic Forum Jobs Report, Thomson Reuters Legal Market Report, Legal Technology, Legal Innovation, AI and Law Firms, AI Adoption in Law, Future of Work in Law, AI Transformation

About the Podcast: 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.