Emerging Technologies' AI: Community of Practice (AICoP) is a multidisciplinary congregation of curious minds, eager to delve into the realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The community is a platform for learning, discussion, and application of AI principles across various fields of study at Columbia University. We aim to demystify AI, spur innovation, and approach challenges with a fresh, AI-centric perspective through regular meetings, workshops, and collaborative projects. All while fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and collective growth.
In this session, Basem Aly and colleagues from Columbia Law School will share how a class project from Lawyering in the Digital Age led to the development of a custom AI chatbot that assists paralegals with intake interviews for the Legal Aid Society’s housing helpline. The result? A $1 million grant and a working system that’s already improving response times and reliability in real-world legal settings.
We’ll walk through how the system was built, tested, and evaluated—highlighting the design choices that minimized hallucinations and ensured accountability in high-stakes environments.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
• Welcome and opening remarks.
Background
• Overview of Lawyering in the Digital Age
• Partnership with the Legal Aid Society
Live Demo
• Walkthrough of the chatbot in action
• How students “shadowed” and “raced” the bot during intake
Chatbot Design Principles
• Closed knowledge base to avoid hallucinations
• Comparing AI responses to supervising attorneys
- Impact & Outcomes
• Grant funding and system performance
• Challenges and lessons learned - Ethics & Practical Considerations
• Where AI fits—and doesn’t fit—in legal services
- Q&A Session
• Open discussion on applications in your field
Meeting Details
Date: May 30th
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
You will need a Zoom account to join the session. If you do NOT already have a Zoom account, visit columbiauniversity.zoom.us and Sign in with your UNI to create your basic Zoom account.