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Is Wal-Mart Law Coming to the US? Retailer Adds Lawyers On Site for Toronto-area Shoppers
May 10, 2014
Shoppers at a handful of Wal-Mart stores in the Toronto area can consult with lawyers whose offices are conveniently on site. The...
May 10, 2014
Shoppers at a handful of Wal-Mart stores in the Toronto area can consult with lawyers whose offices are conveniently on site. The...
Artificial Meaning
May 10, 2014
As artificial intelligences (AI) become more powerful and pervasive, communication by, with, and among AIs has become a common feature of everyday life. Early in the history of AI, there was ELIZA—a simple program that utilized simple pattern-matching algorithms to simulate a psychotherapist interacting with the user of the program. Human communication with AIs has been depicted in film and fiction, from the iconic confrontation of humans with HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the very human...
May 10, 2014
As artificial intelligences (AI) become more powerful and pervasive, communication by, with, and among AIs has become a common feature of everyday life. Early in the history of AI, there was ELIZA—a simple program that utilized simple pattern-matching algorithms to simulate a psychotherapist interacting with the user of the program. Human communication with AIs has been depicted in film and fiction, from the iconic confrontation of humans with HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the very human...
Lawyers Will Crave Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Tablet
May 10, 2014
Many lawyers are quick to adapt new technology, such as Apple Inc.'s iPad, to their law practice. But lawyers can resist upgrading gear long after the benefits run their course, e.g., Research in Motion's BlackBerry SmartPhone (circa October 2011). At what point will the iPad lose its luster, or perhaps fall from grace, and follow the old BlackBerry smartphones? Lenovo, manufacturer of the popular ThinkPad line of laptop computers acquired from IBM Corp., would like to say "today" with the release...
May 10, 2014
Many lawyers are quick to adapt new technology, such as Apple Inc.'s iPad, to their law practice. But lawyers can resist upgrading gear long after the benefits run their course, e.g., Research in Motion's BlackBerry SmartPhone (circa October 2011). At what point will the iPad lose its luster, or perhaps fall from grace, and follow the old BlackBerry smartphones? Lenovo, manufacturer of the popular ThinkPad line of laptop computers acquired from IBM Corp., would like to say "today" with the release...
Huge Update for Google Maps
May 10, 2014
Here’s a list of the new features: Lane/exit notifications Offline mode — this was already available, but it looks beefed up Locations feature — a new, revised way of viewing and finding restaurants, hotels, and other hot spots; we found a great “local” Hawaiian eatery (the feature also tells you what’s popular in the area or with tourists) Uber integration Updated transit features Advanced favorites saving More Street View integration
May 10, 2014
Here’s a list of the new features: Lane/exit notifications Offline mode — this was already available, but it looks beefed up Locations feature — a new, revised way of viewing and finding restaurants, hotels, and other hot spots; we found a great “local” Hawaiian eatery (the feature also tells you what’s popular in the area or with tourists) Uber integration Updated transit features Advanced favorites saving More Street View integration
Policing by the Numbers: Big Data and the Fourth Amendment
May 9, 2014
The age of “big data” has come to policing. In Chicago, police officers are paying particular attention to members of a “heat list”: those identified by a risk analysis as most likely to be involved in future violence. In Charlotte, North Carolina, the police have compiled foreclosure data to generate a map of high-risk areas that are likely to be hit by crime. In New York City, the N.Y.P.D. has partnered with Microsoft to employ a “Domain Awareness System” that collects and links...
May 9, 2014
The age of “big data” has come to policing. In Chicago, police officers are paying particular attention to members of a “heat list”: those identified by a risk analysis as most likely to be involved in future violence. In Charlotte, North Carolina, the police have compiled foreclosure data to generate a map of high-risk areas that are likely to be hit by crime. In New York City, the N.Y.P.D. has partnered with Microsoft to employ a “Domain Awareness System” that collects and links...
The Scored Society: Due Process for Automated Predictions
May 9, 2014
Abstract: Big Data is increasingly mined to rank and rate individuals. Predictive algorithms assess whether we are good credit risks, desirable employees, reliable tenants, valuable customers—or deadbeats, shirkers, menaces, and “wastes of time.” Crucial opportunities are on the line, including the ability to obtain loans, work, housing, and insurance. Though automated scoring is pervasive and consequential, it is also opaque and lacking oversight. In one area where regulation does prevail—credit—the...
May 9, 2014
Abstract: Big Data is increasingly mined to rank and rate individuals. Predictive algorithms assess whether we are good credit risks, desirable employees, reliable tenants, valuable customers—or deadbeats, shirkers, menaces, and “wastes of time.” Crucial opportunities are on the line, including the ability to obtain loans, work, housing, and insurance. Though automated scoring is pervasive and consequential, it is also opaque and lacking oversight. In one area where regulation does prevail—credit—the...
Machine Learning and Law
May 9, 2014
What impact might artificial intelligence (AI) have upon the practice of law? According to one view, AI should have little bearing upon legal practice barring significant technical advances. The reason is that legal practice is thought to require advanced cognitive abilities, but such higher-order cognition remains outside the capability of current AI technology. Attorneys, for example, routinely combine abstract reasoning and problem solving skills in environments of legal and factual uncertainty. Modern...
May 9, 2014
What impact might artificial intelligence (AI) have upon the practice of law? According to one view, AI should have little bearing upon legal practice barring significant technical advances. The reason is that legal practice is thought to require advanced cognitive abilities, but such higher-order cognition remains outside the capability of current AI technology. Attorneys, for example, routinely combine abstract reasoning and problem solving skills in environments of legal and factual uncertainty. Modern...
Machines Without Principals: Liability Rules and Artificial Intelligence
May 9, 2014
The idea that humans could, at some point, develop machines that actually “think” for themselves and act autonomously has been embedded in our literature and culture since the beginning of civilization. But these ideas were generally thought to be religious expressions—what one scholar describes as an effort to forge our own Gods—or pure science fiction. There was one important thread that tied together these visions of a special breed of superhuman men/machines: They invariably were stronger,...
May 9, 2014
The idea that humans could, at some point, develop machines that actually “think” for themselves and act autonomously has been embedded in our literature and culture since the beginning of civilization. But these ideas were generally thought to be religious expressions—what one scholar describes as an effort to forge our own Gods—or pure science fiction. There was one important thread that tied together these visions of a special breed of superhuman men/machines: They invariably were stronger,...
Another Arbitrator Disclosure Cert Petition to be Considered by SCOTUS Today
May 9, 2014
At this Friday’s conference, the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will consider another certiorari petition raising the proper standard for vacating an arbitration award under the Federal Arbitration Act on grounds of “evident partiality.” The “Issues Presented” in Stone v. Bear, Stearns & Co (Docket No. 13-959), as set out by the petitioner, are as follows: (1) Whether an arbitrator’s failure to disclose facts creating a reasonable impression of partiality warrants vacating...
May 9, 2014
At this Friday’s conference, the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will consider another certiorari petition raising the proper standard for vacating an arbitration award under the Federal Arbitration Act on grounds of “evident partiality.” The “Issues Presented” in Stone v. Bear, Stearns & Co (Docket No. 13-959), as set out by the petitioner, are as follows: (1) Whether an arbitrator’s failure to disclose facts creating a reasonable impression of partiality warrants vacating...
Judge Orders Uber to Change ADR Clause
May 8, 2014
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen has ordered Uber to change the wording of an arbitration clause in its agreement with drivers—and this time he really means it. In an order issued Thursday, the San Francisco federal judge agreed with plaintiffs lawyers that Uber's use of an arbitration agreement was meant to limit drivers' participation in several pending class actions over tips and expenses. The company must inform new drivers of the class action and how their rights would be affected by agreeing...
May 8, 2014
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen has ordered Uber to change the wording of an arbitration clause in its agreement with drivers—and this time he really means it. In an order issued Thursday, the San Francisco federal judge agreed with plaintiffs lawyers that Uber's use of an arbitration agreement was meant to limit drivers' participation in several pending class actions over tips and expenses. The company must inform new drivers of the class action and how their rights would be affected by agreeing...
