How to use AI responsibly in the A&O Shearman application process

Here at A&O Shearman, when it comes to integrating artificial intelligence into the legal profession, we’re at the forefront of it all. For instance, in February 2023, we became the first law firm to adopt generative AI on a global scale, and it has empowered our lawyers , spanning 29 jurisdictions to use GPT-4 based tools in their day-to-day work. 

But it’s not just about using these AI-based tools, we’re building them, too.  

Some examples of AI tools that A&O Shearman has built include: 

AI platform, Harvey, has empowered the lawyers across our firm to be able to generate and access legal content with unmatched efficiency, quality, and intelligence. Harvey uses natural language processing, machine learning and data analytics to automate and enhance various aspects of legal work, such as contract analysis, due diligence, litigation, and regulatory compliance. 

Even though the output must be reviewed by an A&O Shearman lawyer, Harvey can help generate insights, recommendations and predictions based on large volumes of data, helping lawyers deliver faster, smarter and more cost-effective solutions to their clients. 

In partnership with Harvey and Microsoft, we have developed Contract Matrix to allow our lawyers to make contract drafting, reviewing and analysis far more streamlined. If you want to find out more, you can see Contract Matrix in action here. 

Our passion for innovation and technology extends to our recruitment processes. Barbara Menhart, Early Careers Senior Manager at A&O Shearman, shares some useful guidance on using AI during the application process responsibly.

The transformative potential of AI doesn’t go unrecognised here, so we’re committed to utilising its capability to shape the future of the legal profession. Because to attract and nurture the next wave of talent, embracing AI in our recruitment strategy is crucial. 

We know there’s differing opinions surrounding the use of AI when creating an application, so we want to share some guidance on what we believe is the best and most suitable way to utilise AI. We’re not prescribing a list of dos and don’ts, but instead offering some insight and guidance for you to take forward. 

Our guidance on AI and where we think it’s appropriate to use it: 

Finding a career that you’re well suited to is important, so you shouldn’t use AI to falsify or exaggerate your skills. Being honest about your skills and experiences is critical to any application. Not doing so could hinder your chances of finding a career that’s right for your abilities and aspirations and lead to serious consequences down the line.  

It shouldn’t be a substitute for your voice and capabilities. Using AI in your job application can be a highly effective resource, but we encourage you to use it in the most responsible way possible.

AI can help with the formatting and design of your CV and help tailor it to the role you’re applying for. It can also check for errors and help you articulate clearly and concisely. 

Directly inputting questions into AI, then using the responses word for word or asking AI to answer test questions for you isn’t advisable. This doesn’t showcase the essential skills we look for such as critical thinking and analytical skills.

From generating potential questions to providing feedback on your responses, AI can help your interview preparation. It is, however, important that your responses are authentic and aligned to the organisation’s values, competencies, and attributes to tailor everything you say to the firm you’re applying to.

If you’ve used AI in your application or/and preparations, be ready to discuss this with us. We’re interested in the questions you asked AI and how you refined the responses from it.