The Geek In Review

This week we talk with Ed Walters from VLex to explore the Autumn 2024 release of VLex’s Vincent AI platform. Ed discusses a series of transformative updates that are turning Vincent AI from a legal research tool into a comprehensive platform that integrates drafting, transactional, and research tasks. These updates include new workflow tools, redlining capabilities, and an innovative feature called Prompt Assist, which enables users to have more control over the AI’s responses by asking follow-up questions to refine their queries. This added transparency and auditability make Vincent AI more user-friendly and trustworthy, as Ed highlights throughout the discussion.

One key feature of the Autumn 2024 release is the introduction of multi-turn conversations within the AI’s responses. This enhancement allows users to continue asking follow-up questions, enabling a deeper exploration of legal issues without needing to start from scratch each time. We discuss how this mirrors tools like Perplexity, where AI can provide follow-up prompts to help users navigate complex inquiries. Vincent AI goes further by asking clarifying questions to ensure the results are tailored to the specific needs of the user, such as identifying which party is at risk in a contract.

Ed emphasizes that legal professionals are not just conducting research for academic curiosity—they need actionable tools integrated into their workflow. Vincent AI’s new capabilities, such as drafting briefs or analyzing redlines, reflect this shift by focusing on providing immediate, actionable insights. Ed explains how these workflow tools enable lawyers to dive straight into their work instead of first sifting through research results, creating a more efficient and integrated process for legal professionals.

A significant highlight of the episode is the introduction of VIDA (Vincent in Docket Alarm), a new feature that combines VLex’s Vincent AI with Docket Alarm’s vast repository of court documents. This integration allows legal professionals to conduct deeper analyses of litigation trends, law firm strategies, and individual lawyer performance, offering unprecedented insight into how cases are being handled. Ed humorously mentions a suggestion from the VLex team to call this feature “DIVA” (Dockets in Vincent AI), but for now, it remains VIDA. This new development provides law firms with enhanced analytical capabilities to explore their own practices and those of competitors.

Finally, the episode concludes with Greg and Ed discussing the broader implications of these tools for law firms, especially in managing large, multi-jurisdictional projects. Ed explains how the 50-state survey feature, a traditionally burdensome task, can now be completed in minutes, making it easier for firms to scan legal landscapes across the U.S. and globally. As Greg points out, this capability not only streamlines the process for legal teams but also creates new opportunities for firms to offer innovative services to clients. Throughout the episode, the conversation showcases how Vincent AI’s latest updates are pushing the boundaries of legal technology.

Links:
– https://www.vlex.com/vincent

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Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

This week, we sit down with Rachael Bosch, the founder and managing director of Fringe Professional Development, to discuss the importance of communication and leadership development within the legal industry. Rachael, with her extensive background in law firm talent management and certifications from prestigious institutions like the NeuroLeadership Institute, Harvard Law School, and Cornell University, offers valuable insights into the role of brain-based coaching in fostering effective workplace environments. Her passion for helping professionals grow and succeed shines through as she discusses her journey from a decade-long career in law firm talent management to founding Fringe Professional Development.

Rachael explains her decision to leave a stable career at Paul Hastings to start her own company, citing her love for professional development and her growing interest in communication challenges within law firms. She describes how these challenges often stem from poor communication practices, such as being too direct, too passive, or using the wrong platform, which can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies. Rachael's background in theatrical performance also contributes to her fascination with human behavior and motivation, which she has channeled into developing innovative training programs that focus on improving workplace communication and leadership.

The conversation delves into the concept of brain-based coaching, a method that combines neuroscience and leadership development to help professionals understand and improve their communication and leadership skills. Rachael emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in effective communication, noting that many professionals struggle with these aspects. She explains how brain-based coaching helps individuals recognize cognitive distortions and other psychological barriers that can hinder their ability to communicate effectively. By grounding coaching in neuroscience, Rachael is able to offer a more fact-based approach that resonates with her often-skeptical audience of lawyers.

Rachael also shares some of the challenges she has faced in promoting coaching within law firms, particularly the resistance from attorneys who believe that only other attorneys can truly understand their issues. She argues that the "clarity of distance"—the idea that a coach who is not deeply entrenched in the legal industry can offer a more objective perspective—is actually a strength in coaching. Additionally, Rachael highlights the importance of upward feedback in professional development, describing how Fringe Professional Development's tools help law firms gather and utilize feedback to improve leadership and team dynamics.

Rachael predicts that the legal industry will face a conflict between a new generation of partners who deeply care about creating supportive work environments and a new generation of associates who maintain a more detached, boundary-driven approach to work. She emphasizes the need for bridging this gap to create cohesive, caring teams. Rachael's insights provide valuable takeaways for legal professionals looking to improve their communication and leadership skills, as well as for firms aiming to create more human-centered workplace cultures.

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Contact Us: 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the legal profession, success is not solely about winning cases but also about building a sustainable practice that endures the test of time. Douglas J. Wood, a veteran entertainment and media lawyer, underscores this in his latest book, From Dawn to Dusk. Wood shares valuable insights on the importance of strategic planning for lawyers and offers advice on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of transitioning out of active practice. His reflections provide a roadmap for legal professionals aiming to build a thriving practice and smoothly transition into retirement.

Wood emphasizes the critical role that a well-structured business plan plays in the success of a legal practice. Drawing from his personal journey, he highlights how he adopted basic business principles early in his career, focusing on creating a detailed, written plan with specific, measurable goals. According to Wood, lawyers often overlook the necessity of such planning, choosing instead to rely on their legal expertise alone. However, by integrating business strategies into their practice, lawyers can significantly enhance their chances of long-term success. Wood's approach demonstrates that a solid business plan is not just an option but a necessity for those who wish to thrive in the competitive legal landscape.

As lawyers progress in their careers, they inevitably face the challenge of transitioning out of active practice. Wood candidly discusses the emotional strain associated with this process, particularly the sense of irrelevancy that can emerge as one nears retirement. He stresses the importance of having a transition plan in place, one that allows lawyers to gradually step back while ensuring their clients are well taken care of by other attorneys. This transition, Wood argues, should not be left to chance; instead, it should be a carefully managed process that begins years before retirement. His advice serves as a reminder that, just as in the early stages of a career, strategic planning is crucial in the later stages as well.

One of the more pressing issues in today’s legal industry, according to Wood, is the generational gap exacerbated by the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap, he believes, threatens the traditional methods of mentoring and knowledge transfer within law firms. The remote working model has disrupted the interpersonal relationships that are essential for passing down wisdom from senior lawyers to younger associates. Wood warns that law firms must find ways to bridge this divide if they are to maintain a cohesive and effective workforce. His observations highlight the need for firms to adapt to the changing work environment while preserving the core elements of mentorship and collaboration that are vital to a firm’s success.

In essence, Wood’s insights offer a comprehensive guide for lawyers at every stage of their careers. From the importance of a well-structured business plan to the challenges of transitioning out of practice, his advice is both practical and deeply reflective of his own experiences. Moreover, his concerns about the generational gap in law firms serve as a timely reminder that the legal profession must evolve with the times while maintaining its foundational practices. For any lawyer looking to build a successful career and plan for a smooth retirement, Wood’s wisdom is invaluable.

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Contact Us: 

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript on 3 Geeks and a Law Blog

This week, we bring back our original TGIR podcast guest, Zena Applebaum. Zena is now the Senior Vice President of Market Development at Harbor, and we discuss the ongoing transformation driven by technological advancements and strategic shifts. Her insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing legal professionals as they navigate these changes.

Zena talks about the integration of generative AI (Gen AI) into legal research tools, particularly at Thomson Reuters, where she previously worked. She emphasizes the challenges in managing expectations around AI's capabilities while ensuring that the products deliver on their promises. The legal industry has high expectations for AI to simplify the time-consuming and complex nature of legal research. However, Applebaum highlights the need for balance, as legal research remains inherently challenging, and overpromising on AI's potential could lead to dissatisfaction among users.

Zena was one of the first in the legal market to understand the role of competitive intelligence in shaping product development and market strategies. Applebaum reflects on her experience at Thomson Reuters, where she applied competitive intelligence not just to monitor competitors but to anticipate market dynamics and plan for the future. This approach allowed Thomson Reuters to stay ahead by avoiding surprises and making informed decisions that aligned with long-term goals. Her emphasis on listening to customer needs and understanding market trends underscores the importance of strategic foresight in the legal tech industry.

We also talk about Zena's move over to Harbor, where she now focuses on market development. She explains that her move was motivated by the opportunity to impact a smaller, more agile company and leverage her legal domain expertise in a broader context. At Harbor, Applebaum aims to redefine the company's value proposition and position it as a holistic service provider for the legal industry. This shift from a product-centric role to a more strategic, client-focused position highlights the evolving nature of legal services and the increasing demand for comprehensive solutions that address various aspects of legal practice.

Furthermore, the podcast explores the potential impact of AI on the legal landscape and Harbor's role in helping law firms and legal departments adapt to these changes. Applebaum notes that while AI has not yet revolutionized the industry as quickly as some anticipated, it is gradually driving efficiency and reshaping how legal professionals approach their work. Harbor's technology-agnostic approach allows it to assist firms in optimizing their tech stacks and preparing for the future, whether through AI, cloud migration, or other technological advancements. This adaptability positions Harbor as a key player in guiding firms through the ongoing digital transformation.

Zena shares her outlook on the future of the legal industry, particularly the growing sophistication of in-house legal departments and the increasing competition for legal talent. She predicts that as AI continues to enhance efficiency and drive changes in the industry, the demand for skilled legal professionals will rise. Law firms will need to adapt to these shifts by embracing new technologies and rethinking their strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

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Contact Us: 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript available on 3 Geeks and a Law Blog

This week, we talk about an exciting development in the legal technology industry: the acquisition of Legal Tech Consultants by Legal Technology Hub. We bring in the key players involved in this strategic move, including Nikki Shaver, Jeroen Plink, and Cheryl Wilson Griffin. The trio share their insights into the motivations behind the acquisition and their future plans. This acquisition not only marks a significant milestone for both companies but also promises to bring innovative solutions to the legal tech market.

Nikki Shaver, co-founder and CEO of Legal Technology Hub, explained that the acquisition was driven by the natural synergy between the two companies. Legal Tech Consultants, led by Cheryl Wilson Griffin, had long been admired for its advisory work with early-stage startups, which complemented Legal Technology Hub's existing focus on more mature companies. As the conversations between the two teams deepened, it became clear that combining their efforts would create a more comprehensive offering in the market. The integration of Cheryl's expertise and client base into Legal Technology Hub aligns with the latter's long-term strategic goals of expanding its reach and influence in the legal tech industry.

Jeroen Plink, co-founder and COO of Legal Technology Hub, emphasized the practical benefits of the acquisition. By merging Cheryl’s consulting services with Legal Technology Hub’s existing offerings, they can now provide even more robust support to vendors and law firms alike. The combined experience of the team, which spans over 60 years in the legal tech space, allows them to offer unparalleled insights and guidance. This depth of knowledge is particularly valuable in helping legal tech vendors navigate the complex buying cycles of law firms and in-house legal departments, ultimately improving the overall legal tech ecosystem.

Cheryl Wilson Griffin, the founder of Legal Tech Consultants, expressed her excitement about joining forces with Legal Technology Hub. She highlighted the unique blend of expertise that each member brings to the table, creating what she described as a "super dream team." Cheryl's experience as a legal tech buyer and consultant allows her to provide invaluable insights to startups, particularly in preparing them to meet the rigorous demands of large law firms. Her focus on building out resources for mid-sized firms and startups is seen as a key area of growth, particularly in developing content that helps these companies better understand the market and improve their offerings.

The conversation also touched on the cultural fit between the teams, which both Nikki and Cheryl noted as crucial to the success of the acquisition. They had built strong relationships over time, ensuring that their visions and working styles aligned before moving forward. This careful approach has made the integration process seamless, allowing them to hit the ground running. The team is already looking ahead to new initiatives, including potentially productizing some of their consulting services and exploring the development of an accelerator or incubator for legal tech startups.

This acquisition of Legal Tech Consultants by Legal Technology Hub represents a significant step forward in the legal tech industry. The combined expertise of Nikki Shaver, Jeroen Plink, and Cheryl Wilson Griffin promises to deliver innovative solutions and strategic guidance to both vendors and law firms. As they continue to expand their offerings and build on their strengths, the legal tech community can expect to see exciting developments from this newly formed powerhouse in the industry.

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Email: [email protected]
Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Information:

Legal Technology Hub Website

This week on The Geek in Review, we discuss the future of legal technology with Dr. Megan Ma, a distinguished research fellow and Associate Director of the Stanford Program in Law, Science, and Technology at the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, also known as Codex. Dr. Ma's groundbreaking work in integrating generative AI into legal applications takes center stage as she shares her insights on translating legal knowledge into code and the implications of human-machine collaboration in the legal field.

Dr. Ma discusses her unique background in law and linguistics, emphasizing the challenges of translating legal language into deterministic computer code. Her fascination with language and its nuances has inspired her research at Codex, where she explores how legal concepts can be effectively communicated through technology. She recounts her academic journey, explaining how her multilingual skills and interest in natural language processing have shaped her approach to developing legal tech solutions.

At Codex, the mission is to empower the legal system through innovative technology. Dr. Ma describes Codex as a collaborative hub, where experts from various fields work together to address inefficiencies and pain points in the legal system. She highlights the center’s commitment to human-centered design, ensuring that their technological advancements are co-created with relevant stakeholders. This approach ensures that the tools and solutions developed at Codex are practical and beneficial for both lawyers and clients.

One of the standout initiatives at Codex is their mentorship model, designed to mirror the traditional mentorship found in law firms. Dr. Ma explains how they use AI to create legal personas based on the redline practices of experienced partners. This innovative approach allows junior associates to receive focused guidance, helping them improve their skills and knowledge in a more efficient and impactful manner. By integrating AI into the mentorship process, Codex aims to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical experience.

Dr. Ma introduces the concept of agentic workflows, where AI agents make autonomous decisions based on specified goals rather than predefined tasks. This dynamic interaction is particularly useful in legal negotiations, where unforeseen circumstances often arise. The negotiation model developed by Codex includes features like client rooms, expert consultations, and various levels of difficulty to simulate real-world scenarios. This hands-on training tool is designed to help young lawyers navigate complex negotiations and improve their problem-solving skills.

In the Crystal Ball segment, Dr. Ma shares her vision for the future of legal technology. She emphasizes the importance of developing tools that tap into the legal brain, focusing on the process behind legal decisions rather than just the end product. By capturing the experiential knowledge of seasoned lawyers, Codex aims to create more effective and intuitive AI tools that can support the legal profession in new and innovative ways. Dr. Ma’s insights highlight the potential for AI to transform the legal field, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of both practitioners and clients.

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email: [email protected]
Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Transcript

This week, we sit down with Conrad Everhard, founding partner of Flatiron LLP, a pioneering law firm that has revolutionized M&A services with their innovative flat fee model. Conrad shares the fascinating origin story of Flatiron, its unique approach to legal services, and the challenges and successes they've encountered along the way.

Everhard recounts the inception of Flatiron LLP, co-founded with Mark Haddad and Lenny Nuara, former big law partners, who sought to modernize legal services post-financial crisis. Despite their elite backgrounds, reentering the private law firm space proved challenging due to their detachment from Big Law for a few years. Driven by their frustrations with Big Law's resistance to change and the convergence of factors such as acceptance of virtual models and access to senior labor, they took the bold step of founding Flatiron. This new model law firm leverages technology and client-focused solutions to disrupt traditional legal services.

When it comes to Flatiron's groundbreaking flat fee M&A services, Conrad explains that the motivation behind this disruptive approach was to bring more transparency, predictability, and cost-efficiency to the fee structure. Over several years, Flatiron has honed a model that relies on low overhead, innovative labor deployment, and technological advancements. They operate on a general contractor model, utilizing a network of expert contractors on a project basis, which allows them to offer high-quality services at a lower and more predictable cost compared to Big Law.

Conrad highlights Flatiron's development of "Deal Driver," a workstream efficiency platform that streamlines the M&A process. Initially created as an internal tool, Deal Driver organizes and manages data through each phase of a deal, incorporating AI and human intelligence to enhance efficiency. This platform has not only improved their internal processes but has also gained popularity among clients, leading to its spin-off as a proprietary platform. The success of Deal Driver underscores Flatiron's commitment to innovation and client satisfaction.

Flatiron's unique labor pool taps into senior associates and counsel with elite firm backgrounds who, for various reasons, seek alternative work environments. Flatiron offers better pay and a more flexible, engaging work culture, attracting highly skilled professionals. Conrad emphasizes the importance of their "coolness factor" in recruitment and client acquisition, noting their collaborations with Stanford Codex and the positive reception from private equity clients who appreciate their efficiency and data management capabilities.

In the crystal ball segment, Conrad speculates on the future of the legal industry. He predicts that traditional Big Law firms may eventually adopt more innovative models, possibly through spin-offs or off-brand ventures, to stay competitive. Additionally, he foresees alternative legal service providers and sandbox experiments in places like Utah and Arizona challenging the traditional legal market. Despite the potential for disruption, Conrad remains confident in Flatiron's model, emphasizing the green field of opportunities ahead and their readiness to adapt and innovate continuously.

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Contact Us: 

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]
Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Flatiron LLP: flatiron.legal

Conrad Everhard on LinkedIn: Conrad Everhard

Email: [email protected]

This week, we discuss the evolving landscape of professional development and training within the legal industry. With a special focus on innovative methods and technological advancements, this episode features insights from three distinguished guests: Adam Stofsky, CEO at Briefly, Ian Nelson, Co-Founder of Hotshot, and Caitlin Vaughn, Managing Director of Learning and Professional Development at Goodwin. Together, they explore how modern training programs are being reshaped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing legal environment.

Staying Relevant in Rapidly Changing Times
Adam Stofsky discusses the challenges and strategies for keeping legal training content fresh and relevant. Briefly's custom content creation, which addresses real-time issues faced by legal teams, ensures that the material is always up-to-date. Stofsky highlights the importance of integrating modern tools like AI to enhance training efficiency without losing the human touch. The conversation transitions into how technology like AI and tools such as Descript are transforming content creation, allowing for more efficient and scalable training solutions.

Practical Skills and Training Innovation
Ian Nelson emphasizes the importance of practical skills over theoretical knowledge in legal training. He shares Hotshot’s approach to delivering hands-on, practical training that prepares lawyers for real-world scenarios. Feedback from users indicates a high demand for practical training that directly supports their daily tasks. Nelson also touches on the strategic importance of training programs, noting how firms are increasingly integrating such programs into their overall professional development plans.

Goodwin’s Comprehensive Training Program
Caitlin Vaughn presents an in-depth look at Goodwin’s first-year associate training program, a full-time, eight-week initiative that combines technical and professional skills development. Vaughn explains how the program blends live sessions, asynchronous learning, and interactive components to create a holistic training experience. This innovative approach not only prepares new associates for their roles but also fosters a culture of continuous learning. Vaughn also discusses the integration of laterals, focusing on personalized training plans to address individual needs and ensure smooth transitions.

Future Challenges and Opportunities
In the crystal ball segment, the guests share their insights on the future of legal training. They discuss the challenges of managing rapid changes in law, technology, and training methodologies. The consensus is that while there are significant challenges, there are also immense opportunities to innovate and improve the effectiveness of legal training. Customization, quality content, and effective pacing are highlighted as key factors for successful training programs in the future.

The discussions underscore the importance of innovative, practical, and engaging training solutions that keep pace with the evolving demands of the legal profession. As the legal landscape continues to change, firms that embrace these advancements will be better positioned to equip their lawyers with the skills they need to succeed.

Contact Information:

Adam Stofsky: [email protected] | Briefly | LinkedIn: Adam Stofsky
Ian Nelson: [email protected] | Hotshot Legal | LinkedIn: Ian Nelson
Caitlin Vaughn: LinkedIn: Caitlin Vaughn

This week, we are joined by Joshua Broyde, PhD and Principal Solutions Architect at AI21 Labs. Broyde discusses AI21 Labs' work in developing foundation models and AI systems for enterprise use, with a focus on their latest model, Jamba-Instruct.

Josh explains the concept of foundation models and how they differ from traditional AI models. He highlights AI21 Labs' work with financial institutions on use cases like term sheet generation and financial document Q&A. The conversation explores the challenges and benefits of training models on company-specific data versus using retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques.

The interview delves into the development of Jamba Instruct, a hybrid model combining Mamba and Transformer architectures to achieve both speed and accuracy. Broyde discusses the model's performance, industry reaction, and potential applications.

Safety and security considerations for AI models are addressed, with Broyde explaining AI21 Labs' approach to implementing guardrails and secure deployment options for regulated industries. The discussion also covers the balance between model quality and cost, and the trend towards matching specific models to appropriate tasks.

Josh also shares his thoughts on future developments in the field, including the potential for agent-based approaches and increased focus on cost optimization in AI workflows.

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Us: 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript on 3 Geeks

In this episode of The Geek in Review, hosts Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert sit down for a one-on-one conversation to catch up on their recent vacations and discuss some of the latest developments in the legal industry. Marlene shares her experience in Hawaii, where she enjoyed beautiful beaches, a nature preserve, and delicious local cuisine with her family. Greg, on the other hand, talks about his trip to South Africa, where he spent time in Kruger National Park observing wildlife and learning about the challenges of rhino poaching.

The conversation then shifts to the recent lawsuits filed by The New York Times, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and Mother Jones against OpenAI and Microsoft for using their copyrighted material to train AI systems. The hosts discuss the implications of these lawsuits and draw parallels to the music industry's past struggles with Napster and the eventual rise of streaming services.

Marlene introduces a new AI-powered comic maker she discovered, which allows users to generate comic strips based on their own images and descriptions. Despite some humorous mishaps with her own generated character, she sees potential in the tool for creating engaging content. Greg shares his experience with Hedra, an AI tool that animates still pictures to create talking head videos, and the two discuss the possibility of creating a fully AI-generated podcast episode.

The hosts also explore practical applications of AI, such as AI Excel Bot, which generates Excel formulas based on plain text instructions and explains existing formulas in simple terms. They discuss how this tool could be beneficial for professionals who frequently work with complex spreadsheets.

Lastly, Greg highlights an episode of the Technically Legal podcast featuring Brandon Epstein, Chief Forensic Officer at Medex, who discusses the challenges of detecting deep fakes and the digital fingerprints left by various recording devices. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticating videos, especially in the news media, and the ongoing battle between deep fake creators and forensic experts.

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Us: 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript on 3 Geeks