‘AI Won’t Solve The Contract Problem’ – Artificial Lawyer

Welcome to Law Punx, a new podcast by Artificial Lawyer where you – the legal tech community – share your views on topics that really matter. First up is why AI won’t solve the fundamental problem with contracts, with Todd Smithline.

The podcast is available in multiple formats, below is the YouTube version, there is also:

This episode and four other Law Punx podcasts on Spotify, which also feat. Electra Japonas, Horace Wu, Jake Jones, and Richard Mabey.

Spotify current episode is here.

Spotify Law Punx site with all episodes is here.

And the same, but just an audio version, is available on Apple Podcasts.

AL will aim to publish a new episode every week, each one tackling a separate issue. Most of the pods are under 10 mins, punchy and are quick to digest – and hopefully will make your day a little brighter.

The goal here is to provide a platform for the free exercise of ideas about the legal and legal tech worlds. There is no sponsorship on Law Punx and the idea itself is the title of each episode, not the company where they work. It’s an ideas first channel where you can say anything you want, (within reason), and AL – and you – may or may not agree – but that’s the whole point.

And if you’d like to get involved, share your insights, or respond to something you’ve seen and heard on Law Punx, then drop AL a line.

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Going back to Todd’s episode, here’s a summary:

In this episode of Law Punx, Richard Tromans interviews Todd Smithline, CEO of Bonterms and a pioneer in standardization within the legal industry. They discuss the spirit of innovation in contracting, the evolution of technology in legal processes, and the fundamental problem of achieving consensus in contracts. Todd emphasizes the importance of community-created standards and collaborative tools to facilitate easier contracting for both parties, contrasting this with the traditional adversarial approach enhanced by AI.

Key points:

The punk spirit in standardization is about challenging the status quo

AI is currently the focus of investment in the legal industry.

The real problem in contracts is achieving consensus, not drafting.

Technology has changed the way contracts are negotiated but not necessarily improved outcomes.

DocuSign’s success is attributed to making contracting easier for both sides.

Standards can help create a collaborative environment for negotiation.

Community-created standards are free and accessible to all.

The future of contracting lies in shifting fundamental behaviours.

Collaborative tools can expedite the agreement process.

The podcast serves as a platform for diverse legal opinions.

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Legal Innovators Conferences in London and New York – November ’25

If you’d like to stay ahead of the legal AI curve then come along to Legal Innovators New York, Nov 19 + 20 and also, Legal Innovators UK – Nov 4 + 5 + 6, where the brightest minds will be sharing their insights on where we are now and where we are heading. 

Legal Innovators UK arrives first, with: Law Firm Day on Nov 4th, then Inhouse Day, on the 5th, and then our new Litigation Day on the 6th. 

Both events, as always, are organised by the awesome Cosmonauts team! 

Please get in contact with them if you’d like to take part.