Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we access information. Every day more people use virtual assistants or automatic programs to resolve doubts of all kinds, including legal issues. However, although it may seem like a quick and comfortable option, using artificial intelligence to advise on legal issues in Spain involves significant risks which should be known before any decision is based on it.
The first thing we have to keep in mind is that artificial intelligence does not replace the criterion or responsibility of a lawyer. Automatic tools may provide general explanations of laws or legal concepts, but they lack the capacity to interpret a particular case, analyse personal circumstances or assess the practical application of the rule. The law is not limited to knowing the laws, but to applying them correctly according to each situation, which only a professional with experience and training can do.
Another obvious risk is the possible disupdate of information. The Spanish legal system is constantly evolving: new rules are adopted, regulations are amended, and the courts issue judgements that change the interpretation of laws. An IA that has not been trained with recent data can provide wrong or even contrary responses to existing legislation. In addition, these tools do not usually cite verifiable sources, which makes it impossible to verify the reliability of the content.
In addition, the lack of legal liability. If a lawyer is wrong, he responds to his client and has a liability insurance. On the other hand, artificial intelligence platforms do not assume any obligations or provide guarantees about the veracity of their responses. If a person acts on a wrong recommendation —for example, when signing a contract or filing an appeal—, cannot claim the damage caused.
It is also important to consider the data protection and confidentiality. Introduce personal or sensitive information into an IA tool may involve such data being stored on external servers or even in other countries, with the risk of violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDR). Law enforcement agencies are legally required to maintain professional secrecy and guarantee the privacy of their clients, which technology platforms cannot secure.
Finally, it should be borne in mind that many of these tools are trained with information of foreign origin, in particular Anglo-Saxon law. This causes that, even if they respond in Spanish, their explanations do not always fit the Spanish legal context, creating confusion and possible misunderstandings.
In short, artificial intelligence can be a useful support for administrative or general information search tasks, but should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice. Legal matters require rigour, up-to-date knowledge and responsibility. Trust in an automated system may seem like a quick solution, but the risk of error is high and the consequences can be serious.
