In the rapidly evolving landscape of legal technology, Screens.ai stands out with its unique community-driven approach to contract review and analysis. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Colin Levy, a seasoned in-house lawyer and one of our highly respected Screens Community creators, to discuss his journey, his relationship with AI, and the importance of his Privacy Policy Agreement screen.
Colin's Legal Journey
Colin's legal career spans over a decade, with a focus on in-house roles across various industries. His decision to work in-house was driven by a desire to be close to business operations and make a tangible impact. This path led him through manufacturing, digital education, and technology companies, where he honed his skills in transactions and contract management.
As his career progressed, Colin recognized an increasing need for technology to assist with contract evaluation, negotiation, and management. He saw potential in tools that could leverage artificial intelligence for document review and data-driven benchmarking of contract positions.
Embracing AI in Legal Practice
Colin's relationship with AI is one of pragmatic optimism. He appreciates the technology's potential, particularly in data analytics and document summarization. Generative AI, in his view, excels at specific tasks like document review and drafting, allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic matters that require human judgment and contextual understanding. However, he cautions against unrealistic expectations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's current limitations while recognizing its future potential. "I would encourage people to be thoughtful in their use of AI and pragmatic in terms of how they approach it."
Discovering Screens: Human expertise meets AI
Colin was introduced to Screens through a conversation with Otto Hanson, the company's founder and CEO. He immediately recognized the platform's potential, particularly in the realm of data privacy. "Screens is that perfect type of tool because it is given specific criteria to look for in a given data set. That’s precisely the type of use case that Generative AI is well suited for currently.”
What sets Screens apart, according to Colin, is the human expertise behind each screen. "One of the things I find really exciting about the community screens is that all of them have been created by actual human beings who are experts in these different areas. This approach combines the efficiency of AI with the credibility and reliability of human expertise, adhering to a ‘trust but verify’ philosophy”.
The Importance of Privacy Policy Agreements
Privacy contracts have become increasingly critical in the legal industry due to the growing importance of data protection and the proliferation of stringent regulations worldwide. The rise of data-driven businesses has led to heightened scrutiny of how companies collect, use, and share personal information. Failure to adequately address privacy concerns can result in hefty fines, increased regulatory scrutiny, and potential litigation, making privacy contracts a critical focus for legal professionals across industries. Below are just a few of the critical standards you can find in Colin’s Screens playbook, The 9 Pillars of Privacy Policies: What Every User Should Expect:
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Data Sale or Sharing with Third Parties
The sale or sharing of data with third parties is a paramount concern in privacy policies. Colin emphasizes that this is "super important" and generally advises against any provisions that allow for data to be sold or shared with third parties. Companies should be extremely cautious about including such clauses, as they can lead to significant privacy risks and potential legal issues. Privacy policies should clearly state the company's stance on data sharing and explicitly prohibit the sale of user data to external entities. -
Opt-out Provisions
Opt-out provisions for data collection provide users with the ability to opt out of data collection or the use of their data for business purposes. This empowers users to have control over their personal information and aligns with the principles of data protection and user privacy. Privacy policies should clearly outline the opt-out process, making it easily accessible and understandable for users to exercise their rights regarding their data. -
Compliance
Compliance with applicable laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), is essential in privacy documents. It’s critical to ensure that all required terms and provisions mandated by these laws are included in the privacy policy. This is particularly important when crafting a policy or reviewing one provided by a vendor. Compliance with these regulations not only helps avoid legal issues but also demonstrates a commitment to protecting user privacy across different jurisdictions. Privacy policies should be regularly updated to reflect changes in data protection laws and maintain ongoing compliance.
Creating Your Own Screens
For legal professionals considering creating their own screens, Colin offers encouragement: "It's super straightforward. It doesn't take very long at all to create one, and it's super easy to refine it given the simplicity of the platform.” He describes the process as quick, easy, and iterative, allowing creators to refine their screens based on real-time feedback.
Screens: A Powerful Tool for Legal Professionals
Colin describes Screens.ai as an efficient AI-powered tool for reviewing data privacy documents, highlighting several key benefits that make it invaluable for legal professionals.
One of the primary advantages is the significant time and effort savings it offers; by automating the review process, Screens allows lawyers to focus on more substantive legal issues rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae of lengthy documents. Additionally, the platform excels at identifying critical issues that might otherwise be overlooked during a manual review. This capability is crucial, as even minor oversights in privacy policies can lead to substantial legal ramifications. Furthermore, Screens prioritizes findings based on their importance, enabling users to address the most pressing concerns first. "It's not just providing a checklist of what’s there or not. Screens provides a way of evaluating what is and isn't there based on a given level of criticality in the context of whatever it is you're trying to do." This nuanced approach ensures that legal professionals can navigate the complexities of data privacy regulations effectively, making Screens a powerful ally in their practice.
Learn More about Colin Levy
You can find more information about Colin on LinkedIn, his website https://www.colinslevy.com, grab your copy of his book The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice, or check out Malbec.io, where Colin serves as Director of Legal.
As the legal industry continues to evolve, tools like Screens offer a powerful way to leverage AI while maintaining the critical human element of expertise. Whether you're looking to use expert-created screens or develop your own, Screens provides a platform that combines efficiency, accuracy, and the collective knowledge of legal professionals. By embracing this hybrid approach to AI in legal practice, lawyers can enhance their capabilities, save time, and focus on the strategic aspects of their work that truly require human judgment and expertise.
