Overview

For most people, having to secure the services of a lawyer is a daunting task—no matter the reason. Between the uncertainty of the initial search, high-priced services, and understanding the ins and outs of the legal system, it can be a challenging journey. But for those in marginalized communities, it could prove to be insurmountable.

My AI Lawyer leverages Microsoft Azure Cloud, Generative AI, and Conversational AI on WhatsApp to provide secure, scalable legal advice. This solution not only offers affordable and accurate guidance but also facilitates a seamless transition to human lawyers. Committed to innovation and inclusivity, My AI Lawyer is driving meaningful progress in enhancing public access to legal advice and addressing social challenges in South Africa.

Challenge, ambition and solution

In South Africa, where a child is subjected to abuse every three minutes and one in three women suffer from abuse, accessible legal services are indispensable. My AI Lawyer, introduced as a national gift on Human Rights Day, March 21, 2023, offers a lifeline in this socio-economic landscape.

This groundbreaking solution, seamlessly integrated into WhatsApp and powered by Microsoft Azure with Azure OpenAI, overcomes barriers to legal advice caused by prohibitive costs. Collaborating with Prof. Corne Davis from Matla A Bana, a leading non-profit supporting abused children, affirmed the transformative potential of My AI Lawyer for vulnerable communities.

The endorsement for My AI Lawyer extends beyond the social impact sphere into the tech industry, with enthusiastic support from Microsoft leaders such as Marc Chaban, Kalane Rampai, Lillian Barnard, Dean Erasmus, and TJ Zwane. Their recognition of our efforts in revolutionizing the legal experience underscores our solution's significance in legal technology. Their belief in our mission and the potential of our service as an essential tool for empowerment and access to justice has been instrumental in our journey.

This broad support from both the social impact and technology sectors fuels our drive to scale our solution, aiming to assist those who need it most. Aligned with the AI for Good ethos, My AI Lawyer leverages technology to foster equity and justice. By opening doors to legal advice, we make a tangible difference in the lives of South Africans, embodying our commitment to societal betterment.

Driving business impact and inclusive growth

The deployment of My AI Lawyer has yielded transformative outcomes for our customers, bridging critical gaps in access to legal advice. Before the implementation of our solution, many South Africans were marginalized from accessing legal guidance due to cost or availability constraints.

Now, users can access immediate legal guidance, leading to heightened legal awareness and empowerment. Key performance indicators reflect a substantial increase in legal queries resolved, with a high satisfaction rating for answers provided, and improved user satisfaction rates.

Moreover, our solution has significantly enhanced the operational efficiency of legal advisors. By seamlessly integrating My AI Lawyer with internal legal advisor systems, consultants now receive real-time co-pilot support, augmenting their capacity to respond promptly and accurately to customer inquiries.

Repeat use and scalability

The My AI Lawyer solution is not a one-time project, evolving into a scalable and repeatable service adaptable to diverse legal systems and jurisdictions. Its cloud-based architecture, complemented by a flexible AI framework, facilitates seamless customization and expansion, poised to revolutionize legal advisory services on a global scale.

Presently tailored for South Africa, the solution's curated content can be swiftly adapted for other regions such as Nigeria or Kenya. With the integration of relevant legal content, My AI Lawyer becomes immediately functional in these locations, demonstrating its scalability and potential for widespread adoption.

Built through inclusive design

In the development of My AI Lawyer, inclusivity was fundamental to our design philosophy. Recognizing the imperative to democratise access to legal advice, we prioritised creating a solution that was accessible and user-friendly for the diverse South African population.

Initial Offering and Evolution: We commenced with a web platform featuring Azure's speech-to-text functionality to enhance accessibility. This feature allowed users to submit and hear legal queries, particularly benefiting individuals with visual or literacy challenges.

Data-Driven Platform Selection: Acknowledging that 48.4 million South Africans were internet users in 2022, with 94% utilizing WhatsApp, we strategically shifted our primary interface to WhatsApp. Leveraging its widespread usage facilitated easier access to legal advice for a broader demographic.

Ensuring Record Keeping: To cater to diverse user preferences and needs, we introduced an option for users to receive email summaries of their consultations. This feature ensures a record of the advice provided, accommodating individuals who may not directly engage with a human lawyer.

Inclusive Design Feedback Loop: A crucial aspect of our approach was the continuous gathering of user feedback, encompassing inputs from underrepresented and disabled individuals. This feedback loop drove ongoing enhancements, guaranteeing that our service met diverse needs and accurately reflected the variety of user experiences.