It’s important not to confuse no-code for no-knowledge – there are still important aspects to AI automation that you need to understand to succeed.
No-code platforms are well on their way to becoming the industry standard for the development of AI tools in the legal sector. It can speed up the development process, make applications easier to maintain once deployed, brings lawyers closer to the tools they use making them more likely to be better thought through, and all underpinned with a reduction in costs from the need to have specific software development skills. Where the real differentiation between providers comes in as we move into a no-code world is the support and training that sits around the platform and you should be laser-focused on this area when choosing an AI no-code platform to work with.
If you are a lawyer and reading this blog post then you will likely be exploring online topics such as automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with other innovative new ways to make your legal operations more efficient. You will also likely be coming across terms such as no-code and how easy it is to automate your operations single-handed in no time.
While no-code is certainly far more straightforward to use – removing the need to have knowledge of programming language or hire expensive developers – no-code does still involve particular knowledge if AI platforms are to be used effectively.
Make no mistake, no-code is a fantastic leap forward and vastly streamlines the process of developing new applications to automate parts of your business. People with zero programming experience are able to get to grips with no-code platforms (such as Neota) and develop some stunning tools to help their operations. Having someone intimately experienced with law can add important insight into getting an application right. Smaller organisations that do not have an IT department can also develop new ways of working much more easily. Some, such as Virtual Pricing Director, can even base their business entirely on the application that they develop and take it to market. A prime example of how technology is breaking down walls for new entrants to enter the legal sector and sell new legal services.
Furthermore, no-code doesn’t just stop after an initial build as it also makes life a lot easier to update or maintain an AI application once it is deployed. Many of us will have experienced the pain of having a great piece of software specially developed a few years ago but that now struggles to keep up because business demands have evolved. With no-code, it becomes easier and cheaper to evolve an application.
But ask yourself a question: Sitting here now and deciding that you want to automate part of your business, how on earth would you go about it? Where would you start? Is it really as simple as paying a fee to a company running an AI platform and spinning out an application in an afternoon? The reality is that it is not quite that straightforward.
Firstly, understand your mind and make sure you are organising yourself in the right way. You can have the best AI platform in the world, but without effective thinking on your part you will not get very far. You do not need to be technically minded, but you do need to solve problems in a structured way. Training and mentoring from the AI platform provider should go further than basic instructions on how to use the platform but also teach you the approach, the structured mindset and project management tools that you need to use the platform effectively.
Secondly, you will need some training. AI platforms offering no-code solutions should also offer varying degrees of training and mentoring for customers signing up to a license to use the platform. Make sure that you really probe what resources are available. How many of your employees can train on the platform for what cost? Is training included only at the early stages? This is really the most crucial aspect of getting no-code right – making sure that you have the right ongoing training and support from the platform service provider.