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One of the most topical and potentially most significant recent developments had been the release of several different language-based generative artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. The advent of these tools, their ease of use, and their responsiveness has led to observers and commentators to question whether these tools could drive significant changes in the economy and labor force – among other things, for example, whether these tools might have significant implications for the practice of law. My own experience (discussed here) is that while these tools are interesting, they are no substitute for the research and writing of an experienced lawyer. A recent case, involving an experienced New York lawyer who relied on ChatGPT generated content in a legal brief in a client’s case, demonstrates the dangers involved for anyone who relies on ChatGPT as a substitute for legal research. The case was described in a May 27, 2023, New York Times article entitled “Here’s What Happens When Your Lawyer Uses ChatGPT” (here).…

Continue Reading AI is Not Quite Ready to Replace the Lawyers

You can hardly turn on any of your various devices these days without encountering yet another hyperventilating article or program about ChatGPT or, more generally, about artificial intelligence (AI) chat bots. Time magazine recently ran a cover story about ChatGPT and the AI chat bot race. As if that were not enough to signal that ChatGPT has arrived as the social phenomenon du jour, the Wall Street Journal recently ran a long self-consciously serious op-ed column in which Henry Kissinger and two other public intellectuals called ChatGPT “a new technology [that] bids to transform the human cognitive process.” Wow! OK, then.

Despite these and many other recent signs and signals of impending doom, I was fully prepared to ignore ChatGPT and carry on with my life – that is, until one of my colleagues recently asked me whether, given that advent of ChatGPT, my days as a blogger are about to come to an end? The question, in its simplest form, is whether I am about to be replaced by a machine. If you listen to the current ChatGPT hype, it may be a question that all of us need to be asking ourselves.…

Continue Reading Are We All About to be Replaced by AI Chat Bots?

The D&O Diary was on assignment this week at the PLUS D&O Symposium. As reflected the accompanying picture of Times Square, the weather in New York was uncharacteristically sunny and warm for this time of year. The Symposium itself was also superlative; the event was surprisingly well-attended and the sessions were great. My congratulations to the event co-chairs, and to the PLUS staff and volunteer leadership for another successful event.

Continue Reading PLUS D&O Symposium in New York

Because so many of you were out of the office or away from your desks last week, I am posting another reminder that, along with colleagues Marissa Streckfuss and Chris Bertola, I will be hosting a free, one-hour seminar on The Top Ten D&O Stories of 2022 on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 11:00 am.…

The Marriott Marquis San Diego

It was my pleasure last week to attend the annual PLUS Conference, this year held in San Diego. It was great to be back at a live PLUS event again and to see so many colleagues from around the industry. As always, the PLUS staff did an amazing job organizing the event, and the turnout was great as well. It was also great to be back in San Diego. It was a little bit cool and it rained on Tuesday but despite that San Diego was still beautiful. It was great to see many old friends and to make new friends as well. …
Continue Reading PLUS Conference in San Diego

I hope many readers saw and read my recent post “What to Watch in the World of D&O.”  A few days ago I recorded a podcast as part of the Rising Edge Ltd’s podcast series in which I discuss several of the themes raised in the “What to Watch” post. In the podcast recording, I…

In recognition of the Independence Day holiday in the U.S., and in what is now an annual tradition, I reprise my 2012 essay about Time and Summer, which can be found here. Amidst all the disruption we have all experienced in both our work lives and personal lives in recent months, life’s timeless lessons…

Readers of this blog may have noted that from time to time I refer to “the D&O Insurance industry,” or to the “Professional Lines Insurance industry” but may not be sure what I was talking about. The good news is that for anyone who wants or needs to find out about the industry, there is now a book for that. It is called “Professional Lines Insurance: An Oral History,” with the subtitle “The People and Companies Who Built a Niche.” The book is available here. It would be conventional to say that the book was “written by” industry veteran Larry Goanos, but that would suggest that this is a conventional book – which it is not. It is more like a literary form of performance art with the professional lines insurance industry as its subject, and with Larry’s own personal industry experience as the central organizing theme. It is also a detailed account of many of the people who made the industry what it is today.
Continue Reading Book Review: “Professional Lines Insurance: An Oral History”

The Louvre Museum, Paris

I hope readers will recall that several days ago, in a fit of pandemic fatigue and nostalgia, I posted an article in which I reminisced about interesting art I have experienced while traveling, including pictures of the art I had encountered. I also invited readers to send me pictures of their art experiences, with my promise to publish future posts featuring readers’ pictures. In response to my art nostalgia post, I received several notes saying kind things about the article, but so far only one reader has actually submitted pictures. Even though I have received only one reader submission, I am going to post the submitted pictures here, both because I really like the submitted pictures, and because I hope that by publishing these pictures, others might be encouraged to send in pictures as well. …
Continue Reading A Reader’s Art, Travel, and Nostalgia Pictures