Article: Artificial Intelligence Ethics for the Estate Planner

Gerry W. Beyer (Texas Tech University School of Law) recently published, Artificial Intelligence Ethics for the Estate Planner, 2024. Provided below is an Abstract:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being incorporated into estate planning practices. AI products can increase the speed by which you draft, review, and summarize wills, trusts, other estate-related documents, pleadings, briefs, and client communications. Likewise, the speed by which you can conduct legal and financial research is faster than ever. AI may organize the tasks needed for an estate administration, from initial filing to final accounting. Fiduciary investment decisions may also be enhanced by the use of AI.

Despite the potentially amazing benefits that await you for incorporating artificial intelligence into your estate planning practice, you may be thinking “I’d rather not” just like a potential date responded to the author’s dinner and movie invitations back in his law school days. This article starts by explaining that this type of response is not an option in today’s world; resistance to the coming of AI is futile. Borg, Wikipedia (Jan. 14, 2024) (“resistance is futile” is catch phrase for any juggernaut against which you cannot prevail). The article then turns to a detailed analysis of the ethical concerns that AI raises.