In the realm of digital search, Google is the undisputed champion. However, the advent of increasingly sophisticated AI technologies is revolutionizing our perceptions of search and AI functionality. 

The newest contender in the AI dialogue landscape is Google’s innovative contribution: Google Bard. This introduction begs the question, what benefits could Google Bard bring to legal professionals in Asia? And also, was Google Bard too late to the game?

The promise of Google Bard for Asian attorneys is an intriguing one as its capabilities are yet to be fully understood or explored. The potential it offers—ranging from efficient legal research to elevating law firm promotional strategies—might be transformative. In this article, we delve into our understanding of Google Bard so far, scrutinizing its structure and pondering its potential as a catalyst for change in the Asian legal industry.

Google Bard Is The Response to ChatGPT

Google Bard, akin to its predecessor, ChatGPT, is an exploratory, AI-driven chatbot that generates text-based responses in reply to prompts from users. Bard utilizes web-based data to create these answers. As of June 2023, it’s not very impressive, and I far prefer ChatGPT.

But on the positive side, Google Bard is currently accessible in more than 180 nations and regions worldwide and supports three languages—Japanese, Korean, and English—a testament to its focus on Asia. Google plans to extend its reach gradually, increasing the number of regions that can access its services.

Comparing Google Bard and ChatGPT, the two bear a functional resemblance but their key distinction lies in their source of information. While ChatGPT derives its knowledge from a vast collection of pre-learned text-based resources, Google Bard fetches data directly from the internet.

Utilizing Google Bard is uncomplicated, given a few prerequisites such as having a suitable Google Account. Users simply navigate to bard.google.com, log in using their Google account and input their query or prompt into the text box. 

Queries can range from seeking assistance in formulating a catchy slogan for a law firm to structuring a blog post for your firm’s website. This could greatly benefit lawyers in Asia by providing easy access to relevant legal information, improving efficiency and promoting cutting-edge marketing strategies.

How Google Bard is Transforming the Landscape for Asian Legal Practitioners

Imagine a lawyer in Beijing, involved in a dense legal case, resorting to Google Bard on her phone amidst sips of morning coffee at her workstation. The future is here.

Where AI technology meets search optimization, Google Bard comes into its own. Its trump card lies in its ability to draw answers directly from the labyrinth of the internet, ensuring that the information utilized is always current.

This stands in stark contrast to other AI tools like ChatGPT, which are limited to the breadth and chronology of the data they’ve been supplied. As of September 2021, for instance, ChatGPT’s knowledge pool is somewhat limited.

Laws and regulations change fast in Asia

This can pose a significant impediment for legal practitioners, especially those in Asia where laws and regulations can undergo rapid shifts. Having access to the most current legal data is a fundamental requirement for these professionals.

Simultaneously, the spectre of bias hovers over AI usage, posing a significant ethical conundrum. The sources of data, if skewed or flawed, can taint the AI’s responses, making them partial or incorrect.

Depending on internet data doesn’t assure absolute precision or the absence of bias. Indeed, Google itself warns against treating Bard’s responses as an alternative to professional advice in medical, legal, financial, or other critical domains.

Where Google Bard genuinely shines is in the realm of law firm marketing. With the rapid digitization of services, Asian law firms have a unique opportunity to leverage this technology to gain a competitive edge. Data from recent market studies suggest a steady increase in AI adoption, with the Asian legal tech market forecasted to expand by 25.4% between 2023 and 2028.

In this tech-augmented reality, Google Bard serves as an instrument of change, offering Asian lawyers a novel means to navigate the labyrinthine legal world with ease.

Will people use Google Bard to find a lawyer?

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a new question has emerged for legal establishments in Asia. Can clients harness artificial intelligence, such as Google Bard, to find lawyers online?

These days, the web plays an integral role in locating legal help. For instance, the 2019 Legal Trends Report by Clio revealed that the Internet was instrumental for many people in their quest for legal assistance. Around 17% of people relied on search engines, and the same percentage chose to visit the website of a lawyer.

The inclusion of AI tools in the search process could indeed revolutionize this journey for clients. Imagine them probing:

“Who’s the most affordable divorce lawyer in Beijing?”

“Which legal firm in Shanghai contributes most to philanthropy?”

This is where Google Bard becomes intriguing.

Marketing strategy of Asian law firms

A standard online search typically produces a heap of results for users to sift through. In contrast, Bard rummages through websites, cross-references data, condenses massive volumes of information, and furnishes references, offering an in-depth, personalized response.

So, what does this mean for the marketing strategy of Asian law firms? If they fine-tune their digital marketing strategies to catch the eye of AI, their visibility amongst potential clientele might receive a considerable boost.

Even though Bard is in its early stages, and isn’t accessible to users in regions like Korea yet, this moment presents an intriguing opportunity. Asian law firms can start experimenting with Bard to gauge what searches their brand features in, if any. They might also assess how their digital image impacts Bard’s perception of their firm’s ethos, enabling them to tweak their image to shine in the AI spotlight.

For legal firms yet to establish their presence on the internet, there’s no better time than now to strategize. They could potentially leverage website builders such as Clio Grow to establish a professional and secure digital footprint.

As we mull over the final thoughts on Google Bard for lawyers, it’s clear that Bard could open a wealth of opportunities for Asian law firms. It could simplify online research for lawyers and streamline clients’ hunt for the perfect law firm.

As with all technological advances, legal establishments should approach Bard judiciously. As Bard continues to develop, it’s critical for law firms to track its evolution, comprehend its functionality, and ponder ways to enhance their online visibility. It’s time to prepare for the era of AI-powered searches.

Posted by Alistair Vigier

Alistair Vigier presides as the Chief Executive Officer of ClearwayLaw China, a platform designed to bridge the gap between the public and legal professionals. Presently, the firm is in the process of securing funds for the enhancement of its legal technology platform.

Leave a Reply