In the Shadow of the AI Act: Legal Services by Artificial Intelligence. A German Perspective

Abstract

The use of AI poses a challenge to the rule of law. While Art. 1 of the AI Act and recitals testify to this, the Union’s legislative strategy is ambiguous. At the example of the legal professions, this article expounds why this might thwart qualified and independent legal services which the Union otherwise cherishes. For EU legislation for the free movement of digital services prevents the Member States from a stricter control of “legal services by AI” which also the AI Act addresses only in part. There is a need for more leeway to effectively protect the rule of law.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Legal profession; Rule of law; AI Act; Free movement of services