Can someone explain to me the economics of AI and how it intersects with billing by the hour?
I think there would be a strong incentive not to use tools that speed up your work because you'd effectively be able to bill less time?
I'm sure there are some firms out there with more work than people, but still wouldn't it be more effective to hire another human who can then bill at a high rate for many hours?
Lawyers are client-facing. Client wants lawyers to use AI. There are justifiable reasons to use AI (in measured doses). Hence, firms will use AI. They already have all kinds of strategems to increase their billing which AI slots into.