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As A.I. makes law firms more efficient, clients ask: 'Where's my discount?'

150 points · 162 comments · mooreds

  1. neya · · focus · HN ↗
    AI is just a tool like everything else. Are you also going to ask me for a discount because I used a powered screw driver?
    1. mpalmer · · focus · HN ↗
      Yes, because I'm expecting you to compete.
      1. tahoeskibum · · focus · HN ↗
        Exactly, somebody using power tools can do a lot more in an hour than somebody using manual tools. That is the real discount.
        1. neya · · focus · HN ↗
          Doesn't matter, people pay for output quality, not for tools used. That's the reason why you pay almost $2000 for an iPhone that costs $200 and takes less than 2 hours to make.
          1. mpalmer · · focus · HN ↗
            You're making a category error when you compare the biggest tech firms to "all law firms".

            And $200 to make a $2000 phone is flat-out wrong - are you being dishonest or just not bothering to check your facts? Two years ago the cost of making the iPhone 16 was pushing $600, and it sold for no more than $1500.

            When it is obvious to me, the consumer, that you and most of your competitors are saving massive time and money using new technology, and you're keeping all that margin, my choice is easy.

            I will go to the first competitor who wants my business more than keeping their savings, and in a healthy free market economy, that competitor should be very easy to find.

      2. neya · · focus · HN ↗
        Using a powered screw driver somehow is incompetent? Flawed logic.
    2. DrSAR · · focus · HN ↗
      and conversely, I'll pay you more if you grab a rake and not a leaf blower
    3. preommr · · focus · HN ↗
      since we're posting pointless gotchas:

      Do we pay more to a lawyer if they handwrite a legal document using expert penmanship?

    4. byzantinegene · · focus · HN ↗
      yes, because you're billing me based on hours.
      1. neya · · focus · HN ↗
        No, I'm billing you for the output of my work. Not hours.
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