The Pulse: Feb. 3, 2023

When Paul Paton first started paying attention to technology's effects on the practice of law in 2010, the existing rules seemed sufficient to equip lawyers to proceed ethically. But with the rise of tools like ChatGPT, it may be time for more guidance.

"A reliance on predictive AI to substitute for lawyer preparation and judgment is probably the area of biggest risk," the University of Alberta law professor told Taproot. "It's one thing to rely on a new tool. It's another to let it substitute for a lawyer's professional judgment."

Paton will be exploring these themes at the 2023 Legal Innovation and Digital Law Conference on Feb. 10. The student-led conference is put on by the Law and Business Association (LBA) and the Digital Law and Innovation Society.

"We're excited to have a room full of people not only from the legal profession but also business professionals and (people) in computer science and the tech industry," said Sereena Dosanjh, a second-year law student who serves as the vice-president in charge of the innovation conference with the LBA. "We welcome members from all walks of life, and we're excited to have that networking opportunity in person again."

So far, about 110 people have signed up for the conference, which will be in person for the first time since 2020.

Paton was dean of the U of A law school when students came to him with the idea for the conference around 2017. He helped them set it up, then it took on a life of its own. "My students ... were bold innovators," he said. "In many respects, they saw a need that others hadn't."

Technology moves much faster than academia or the law. The Model Code of Professional Conduct in Canada has included an ethical duty to maintain competence in technological trends since 2019, but that's not easy.

"In this space, wait 30 seconds and there will be a new technology that may or may not fit what traditional practice rules have permitted," Paton said.

An extreme example is DoNotPay, an American startup that bills itself as "the world's first robot lawyer," encouraging users to "fight corporations, beat bureaucracy and sue anyone at the press of a button." In January, founder Joshua Browder backed away from a plan to use AI in court to help someone fight a speeding ticket by having a chatbot tell them what to say via wireless earbuds.

• Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette published an article in the Edmonton Journal explaining the city's efforts so far to improve transit safety and calling for a coordinated response between all levels of government to address the root causes of social disorder. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has also emphasized the province's responsibility to address housing, mental health, and addictions in his submission for the provincial budget, which is set to be tabled Feb. 28.
• The Operation Friendship Seniors Society drop-in and rooming program for vulnerable seniors, which operated at 9526 106 Ave. since 1969, closed on Feb. 1. The board of directors pointed to decreased funding, vandalism, and escalating violence toward staff, volunteers, and seniors as reasons for the closure. The society will continue to offer services at its other facilities and said in a release the board will look for an alternative space for a drop-in program. Deborah Von Richter with Boyle Street Community Services said the closure is "yet another hard hit" for Edmontonians in need, adding that many seniors with mental health and addictions struggles found support at the drop-in and rooming house.
• Representatives from Homeward Trust, e4c, the Homes for Heroes Foundation, The Today Centre, Catholic Social Services, The Refuge Mission Foundation, and other social agencies attended a forum hosted by researcher Dr. Cheryl Forchuk, who is leading a study on homelessness across Canada. Her team has found an increase in homelessness rates and first-time homelessness since the pandemic in all 28 urban and rural centres studied so far. Forchuk noted Alberta was unique for requiring someone to have a residential address to receive income support and for having more police surveillance of people experiencing homelessness.
• Jim Gurnett with the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness is critical of the province's plan to "deter and respond to crime and social disorder" in Edmonton by sending 12 sheriffs to work with police as part of a 15-week pilot project. "The problem is clearly that there are not enough places for people to live safely and affordably and securely," said Gurnett.
• The Hudson's Bay department store at Londonderry Mall will close in August after more than 50 years as an anchor tenant of the northside shopping centre. Landlord Cushman & Wakefield told Retail Insider the decision was disappointing but "we look forward to continuing to work on redevelopment and re-leasing efforts to enhance Londonderry's offerings to its customers and community."
• A new public art installation has sprouted in the Stadium Yards development in central Edmonton. The large, interactive LED marigold is the work of Brad Hindson with the Toronto-based Studio F Minus and commissioned by the Rohit Group for the development. The marigold is Edmonton's official flower.
• Edmonton International Airport welcomed the new year by reflecting on its progress in 2022. Last year, the airport shifted its brand from EIA to YEG, doubled its passenger numbers compared to 2021, gained four new destinations, and saw the departure of CEO and president Tom Ruth, who was replaced by Myron Keehn on Jan. 1, 2023.
• Silver Skate Festival will be the last major event at Hawrelak Park before it closes in March for a three-year rehabilitation project. The free festival includes ice skating, snow sculptures, a winter market, live music, and a culinary competition involving four breweries and eateries from various Edmonton neighbourhoods. The festival begins Feb. 10 and runs until Feb. 20.

This weekend offers a celebration of French-Canadian, First Nations, and Métis culture, a tasty trip through Old Strathcona, a gala to kick off 5 Artists 1 Love, a showcase for crafters, some brassy sounds, and a run to raise money for Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS).

• Feb. 3-4: Flying Canoë Volant
• Feb. 4: Sweet Treats and Latte Festival Kickoff in Old Strathcona
• Feb. 4, 6pm: All Black Wear Affair at the Art Gallery of Alberta
• Feb. 4-5: Wholly Handmade at the Strathcona County Community Centre
• Feb. 5, 7pm: River City Big Band at the Yardbird Suite
• Feb. 5, 9am: Hypothermic Half Marathon, starting at Highlands Golf Club

Find even more things to do in the Arts Roundup.

Photo: Lii Buflo: A Métis Way of Life by Jesse Gouchey is part of this year's Flying Canoë Volant festival, which started on Feb. 1 and runs until Feb. 4. (Facebook).