Approaching tech singularity Forum

[R. Jeeves]

Should I worry about this as I decide whether or not to join a T6 school's class of 2020? Can someone speculate on how long I would have after graduating before technology makes me obsolete?
Will there be stuff left for me to do once I'm done with biglaw? My relatives are trying to scare me into sticking with my career as an engineer and im conflicted now.

[boslaw56]

Post Removed.

[orangered]

I'm an engineer and faced the same predicament when entering law. I think that although technology is quickly advancing (as it has done for a number of years), it can't replace a lawyer entirely. Sure, technology can simplify and replace certain aspects of all fields (including law), but I don't foresee technology rendering an entire lawyer's job obsolete (barring fully autonomous AI robots, but then we're all done for).

FWIW, I think the same argument your relatives are making can be applied to most other professions, including engineering. Who's to say there wont be technology that completely automates the design process, much like they're arguing technology can automate the legal process? Moreover, who's to say universal coding languages, circuit design, etc. won't be outsourced to cheap labor overseas? In my opinion the glamour of STEM is way over-hyped.

I think the more important thing to consider here is whether you want to be a lawyer or an engineer. These are two drastically different professions, and I don't think it would be a good move to go to law school only to find out you don't like being a lawyer. If you're interested in IP, you have a unique opportunity to work as a tech specialist/patent agent before committing to law school. I did this as kind of a "trial run" and it really informed my decision to go to law school/into IP law. It also looks good on your law school applications in my experience.

+1 to everything here. It's a thought I've had too. After 1L, however, I'm convinced that lawyers will not be replaced with machines anytime in the next 50 years. Sure, there are some transactional fields that could be automated, but the processes of legal reasoning and legal advocacy are so hard to capture algorithmically that it would take an Einstein-level breakthrough in AI for computers to have any real shot. And, if worst came to worst, we could always go back to engineering.

[RZ5646]

The T6 grads won't be the first to go.

[barkschool]

+1 to everything here. I'll also mention that I'm an engineer with experience in AI, machine learning, and data mining. So it's a thought I've had too. After 1L, however, I'm convinced that lawyers will not be replaced with machines anytime in the next 50 years. Sure, there are some transactional fields that could be automated, but the processes of legal reasoning and legal advocacy are so hard to capture algorithmically that it would take an Einstein-level breakthrough in AI for computers to have any real shot. And, if worst came to worst, we could always go back to engineering.

Idk man, I click search into my google machine and it gives me case rules to the exam.

[acr]

I'm an engineer and faced the same predicament when entering law. I think that although technology is quickly advancing (as it has done for a number of years), it can't replace a lawyer entirely. Sure, technology can simplify and replace certain aspects of all fields (including law), but I don't foresee technology rendering an entire lawyer's job obsolete (barring fully autonomous AI robots, but then we're all done for).

FWIW, I think the same argument your relatives are making can be applied to most other professions, including engineering. Who's to say there wont be technology that completely automates the design process, much like they're arguing technology can automate the legal process? Moreover, who's to say universal coding languages, circuit design, etc. won't be outsourced to cheap labor overseas? In my opinion the glamour of STEM is way over-hyped.

I think the more important thing to consider here is whether you want to be a lawyer or an engineer. These are two drastically different professions, and I don't think it would be a good move to go to law school only to find out you don't like being a lawyer. If you're interested in IP, you have a unique opportunity to work as a tech specialist/patent agent before committing to law school. I did this as kind of a "trial run" and it really informed my decision to go to law school/into IP law. It also looks good on your law school applications in my experience.

This is incredible advice

[R. Jeeves]

And, if worst came to worst, we could always go back to engineering.

Really? this seems like it would be hard after spending 3 years on a law degree and some time as an attorney. Maybe it would be reasonable with like 5+ years of prior engineering work experience?

Or maybe it wouldn't be hard idk, ive only been working a few months so i dont really know how things work.

[orangered]

And, if worst came to worst, we could always go back to engineering.

Really? this seems like it would be hard after spending 3 years on a law degree and some time as an attorney. Maybe it would be reasonable with like 5+ years of prior engineering work experience?

Or maybe it wouldn't be hard idk, ive only been working a few months so i dont really know how things work.

IME tech is pretty meritocratic. If you still know how to do the job, you'll get hired.