Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals

Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges presented by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on legal journals, including the Ottawa Law Review (OLR).

Throughout the publication lifecycle of a given piece, AI tools may play a pivotal role in enhancing the editorial and publishing processes. Similarly, authors submitting to legal journals may also leverage AI tools for purposes that range from improving readability to generating content.

While the potential benefits are significant, the use of such tools raises various issues pertaining to the accuracy and quality of publications, as well as broader ethical and legal concerns.

Journals have responded to these opportunities and challenges at different speeds and in different ways. Some journals in non-legal disciplines have developed extensive AI policies, while the majority of legal journals appear to be falling behind in this regard.

This book contains several recommendations that will empower the OLR to embrace the transformative potential of AI responsibly while maintaining its commitment to safeguarding privacy, intellectual property, and scholarly rigour. Central to this endeavour is the adoption of three AI policies: one covering the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in submissions, another addressing AI usage in the peer review process, and a final one relating to the editorial team.

At this bilingual event, Professor Yan Campagnolo and Professor Marina Pavlović will be joined by some of the book’s authors to discuss its findings, key takeaways, and the opportunities AI presents in legal research and drafting. They will also explore potential next steps in this evolving field.

About the speakers

Yan Campagnolo is a vice-dean and full professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. He also serves as faculty advisor to the Ottawa Law Review and editor of the Law and Justice series at the University of Ottawa Press. Professor Campagnolo is the recipient of several prestigious awards for the quality of his teaching and research. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa, he practiced law at the Privy Council Office and worked as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada. Professor Campagnolo is the general editor of the book Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals.

Marina Pavlović is an Associate Professor in the Common Law Section at the Faculty of Law and a Faculty member at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society at the University of Ottawa. Her research expertise is in consumer rights in the contemporary cross-border digital society and technology policy and regulation. She holds a law degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade (Serbia), an LL.M with concentration in Law & Technology from the University of Ottawa and is called to the Ontario bar. Professor Pavlović served as an AI Advisor to Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals.

Leonie van Haeren holds a J.D. from the University of Ottawa, an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and a B.Sc. in Economics from Dalhousie University. Prior to pursuing law, she worked in international development, international health research, and immigration. As Senior Editor and Chair of the Ottawa Law Review (OLR) AI Research and Working Group, she led the research and authorship of Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals, a book exploring AI’s opportunities, challenges, and its impact on legal journals such as the OLR.

Shaarini Ravitharan recently graduated from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law and is currently articling at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto. In law school, Shaarini completed the Dean’s Fellowship and was a Teaching Assistant to first year law students. Shaarini gained valuable legal experience as an intern at the Canadian Public Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), where she explored issues focusing on privacy, consumer protection, extended reality technologies, and artificial intelligence. She was further involved with the Ottawa Law Review throughout law school, and in her final year, served on the Senior Board as the Editor-in-Chief (English Articles). During her mandate, Shaarini also co-authored Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals.