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How AI transforms document review in eDiscovery

Discover how AI transforms electronic document discovery, making document review more accurate, time efficient, and cost-efficient – a game-changer for legal professionals.

How AI Transforms eDiscovery into a game-changer for legal professionals

eDiscovery, shorthand for electronic discovery, refers to the process of identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) during legal proceedings.

In a digital age where mountains of data can make or break legal cases, eDiscovery has become essential. Yet, traditional methods of document review are no longer sufficient. 

Enter artificial intelligence (AI)—a transformative technology that is revolutionizing eDiscovery workflows. 

This guide takes a deep dive into how AI is transforming document review processes, making them more accurate, time-efficient, and cost-effective for legal professionals.

Whether you're an experienced attorney, an eDiscovery manager, or an eDiscovery consultant, this article will show you the incredible potential of AI in the legal field. 

You'll also discover eDiscovery best practices that integrate AI tools to streamline processes and improve outcomes.

Bob Dillen

Partner, Head of Forensic

KPMG Switzerland

Challenges of traditional eDiscovery

Data overload and rising costs

The volume of electronically stored information continues to grow. For every legal proceeding, an enormous amount of data needs to be collected, reviewed, and analyzed. This often includes different types of data sources like emails, mobile data, and more. 

Without advanced eDiscovery software, sifting through these vast datasets manually is both time-consuming and costly

Inconsistent review decisions 

Manual review processes are particularly inefficient and prone to error, making it difficult to maintain consistency and meet the demands of a robust eDiscovery workflow. 

Human reviewers bring their own biases, knowledge, and experiences to the table, leading to inconsistencies in document review. 

Different analysts may interpret the same document differently, causing discrepancies. 

Cognitive limitations also make it easy for human error to creep in, especially when dealing with large volumes of data. 

These inconsistencies can lead to disputes with the opposing party and may require further analysis by eDiscovery forensics experts.

Complex legal issues and time constraints

Legal cases often come with tight deadlines. The increasing volume of data, coupled with diverse data sources and varying review workflows, adds layers of complexity to the review process. 

Conducting a thorough review under such conditions becomes exceptionally challenging, especially without the aid of advanced eDiscovery tools. 

Legal eDiscovery often demands rapid data processing and analysis, which can be difficult to achieve without AI-driven solutions that save time and improve efficiency.

Privacy and data security

Privacy is paramount in eDiscovery, given that collected data often includes sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI). 

Mishandling this data can lead to severe legal consequences and damage the firm's reputation. 

Ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and information governance is crucial. 

Moreover, secure data processing and the ability to trace data handling are essential aspects of eDiscovery best practices, especially for eDiscovery service providers like KPMG.

AI's role in revolutionizing eDiscovery

  1. Addressing data volume

    AI-powered tools excel in organizing and automating document categorization, which is a critical component of any eDiscovery workflow. 

     

    Machine learning algorithms, such as predictive coding (also known as Technology-Assisted Review or TAR), estimate the likelihood of a document being relevant. 

     

    This allows AI to handle large datasets efficiently, scaling workflows without increasing human resources. 

     

    This automation not only improves accuracy but also saves time, making it a valuable asset for legal eDiscovery processes.

     

  2. Time efficiency and cost reduction

    Machine-assisted processes significantly reduce the time and human resources required for manual document review. Automation streamlines workflows, enabling legal teams to meet tight deadlines more easily

     

    The result? Enhanced efficiency and lower costs. 

     

    By incorporating AI tools, legal professionals can focus on higher-level tasks, while eDiscovery software handles the repetitive and time-consuming aspects of data processing and review.

     

  3. Improved relevance identification and consistency

    AI's ability to understand contextual meanings enhances the accuracy of identifying relevant documents. 

     

    Unlike keyword searches, AI recognizes the content's relevance based on context. 

     

    This reduces the risk of overlooking important information and ensures a more consistent review process, which is crucial for maintaining eDiscovery best practices. 

     

    AI-driven eDiscovery software also facilitates more accurate data analysis, helping legal teams identify key information that could influence the outcome of a case.

     

  4. Privacy and data security concerns

    Secure machine learning algorithms improve accuracy in identifying privileged and sensitive information

     

    Robust encryption and secure processing protocols ensure that sensitive data is handled in compliance with privacy regulations, safeguarding against unauthorized access. 

     

    This is especially important for eDiscovery service providers, who must adhere to stringent information governance standards to protect their clients' data.

New trends in eDiscovery

Enhanced speed and productivity

AI-driven tools bring unprecedented speed and productivity to the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) lifecycle. 

These tools are user-friendly, allowing legal professionals to leverage AI without extensive technical expertise. 

Customized algorithms and workflows tailored to specific legal requirements offer greater flexibility, making it easier for an eDiscovery manager to oversee complex cases. 

AI tools also enable faster data processing and analysis, further enhancing productivity.

Advanced security measures

Security features like data encryption, comprehensive audit trails, continuous monitoring, and threat detection ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards. 

These measures emphasize the reliability of AI technologies in eDiscovery. 

Additionally, information governance is strengthened through these advanced security measures, ensuring that all aspects of the eDiscovery workflow are protected from unauthorized access and data breaches.

Future innovations

Expect further advancements in data analytics, machine learning, and Generative AI for document review. 

Innovations like intelligent applications for understanding relationships, advanced document classification, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities will make tools even more efficient. 

Generative AI, in particular, could automate the creation of document summaries and assist in identifying patterns and insights that might not be immediately apparent, further enhancing the eDiscovery process. 

These enhancements will lead to more accurate and speedy document reviews, continuing to revolutionize legal eDiscovery. 

As AI continues to evolve, so too will the capabilities of eDiscovery software, offering even greater benefits to legal professionals and their clients.

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The integration of AI in eDiscovery is not just a technological upgrade—it's a game-changer

From handling vast amounts of data to improving accuracy and ensuring data security, AI addresses many challenges that traditional eDiscovery can't

For legal professionals, adopting AI-driven eDiscovery tools and software means staying competitive and efficient in an increasingly data-driven world. 

Ready to transform your document review process? 

Explore our AI-powered eDiscovery solutions and take the first step toward revolutionizing your legal practice

Whether you're an eDiscovery manager or consultant, leveraging AI can help you optimize your workflow, reduce costs, and achieve better outcomes for your clients.

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Traditional eDiscovery document review is facing challenges. Addressing these increasing challenges are a driving force behind the integration of advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence in eDiscovery.

Meet our expert

Bob Dillen

Partner, Head of Forensic

KPMG Switzerland

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