Synthesia Revolutionizes Law with an AI Lawyer, but at What Cost?

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Key Takeaways

1Synthesia has developed an AI avatar to assist its legal department, using its own video avatar technology.

2Gabe Stern, legal counsel, created this avatar to handle the initial stages of contract negotiations.

3The avatar, still in the testing phase, could transform the way companies approach legal discussions.

💡Why it matters — Synthesia's innovation could redefine the role of in-house lawyers, but raises questions about human interaction and credibility.

A Virtual Lawyer at Synthesia: A Bold Innovation

The company Synthesia, specializing in software for creating videos with digital avatars, has recently taken a new step by developing an AI avatar for its own legal department. This initiative is led by Gabe Stern, the company's legal counsel, who has utilized Synthesia's technology to design a virtual lawyer. The main challenge lies in teaching this avatar to behave credibly, much like a human lawyer.

A Technology Without a Degree but Full of Potential

Synthesia's AI avatar holds neither a law degree nor official accreditation, but that does not prevent it from being a promising tool. In January, the company was valued at $4 billion, and it offers software solutions that enable businesses to create videos for various uses such as training and marketing. Gabe Stern decided to leverage this technology to optimize the operations of his legal department.

Automating Repetitive Tasks in the Legal Department

Gabe Stern designed this AI avatar to interact with the legal and procurement teams of potential clients. According to him, the real time sink is not so much the review of contracts but the peripheral tasks such as scheduling calls and answering recurring questions. The avatar is still in private testing, but the goal is to have it handle the initial stages of negotiations before a human lawyer steps in.

"Vibe Coding": A New Approach to Software Development

This project illustrates the phenomenon of "vibe coding," where non-engineers use AI tools to create software by simply describing their needs. What previously required a team of developers can now be accomplished by a lawyer in just a few days. Gabe Stern took about two weeks to develop the initial prototype using a low-code platform and a customized version of ChatGPT from OpenAI.

The Rise of Generative AI Among Corporate Lawyers

Gabe Stern is not alone in this endeavor. Many corporate lawyers are adopting generative AI to speed up their processes. Unlike traditional law firms, these professionals are often evaluated on their ability to close deals quickly. They are already using tools to draft documents, compare contract terms, or summarize rules.

A Live Demonstration of the Avatar's Capabilities

During a Zoom call, Gabe Stern showcased how the avatar works. Stern's video avatar, dressed in a checkered shirt, greeted the audience. While convincing, one detail betrayed its digital nature: the repetitive gestures of its hands. The avatar then introduced Willow, another avatar tasked with guiding through a main subscription agreement from Synthesia.

A Realistic Yet Improvisable Interaction

Willow, although slightly delayed in its responses, demonstrated some authority by answering questions about security and liability. When asked about Synthesia's liability cap, Willow was able to probe the underlying concern and resist demands for unlimited damages. This interaction relies on a set of internal and external documents, including company policies and standard contracts.

A Unique Innovation in the Legal Sector

Gabe Stern claims to know of no other legal startup developing a similar avatar. Synthesia, competing with HeyGen and Colossyan, could enable any company to create its own version of Willow using its technology. In the long term, Stern envisions deploying the avatar to assist Synthesia's small legal department and serve as a product demonstration for potential clients.

The Challenges of Humanizing the Avatar

One of the main challenges is making the avatar as credible as a human lawyer. Currently, the avatar relies on vocal cues and tone, but a real lawyer can read the room and have an intuition about the best way to close a deal. A spokesperson for Synthesia indicated that the next version of the technology might be able to detect visual cues such as eye contact and body language.

Mixed Reactions to the Innovation

Gabe Stern acknowledges that not everyone will be won over by Willow. Some will appreciate the efficiency and speed of the avatar, while others will prefer human interaction for a more personalized experience. "I think we will see it all," he stated.