Today : Mar 19, 2025
Technology
18 March 2025

AI's Expanding Influence: Legal, Filmmaking, And Search

AI tools are reshaping industries, prompting reactions and strategic moves from leaders.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to shape various sectors, from the legal field to the world of film and search engines. A recent exploration by Marlon Hylton, founder of Innov-8 Data Counsel, expresses concerns over AI widening the skills gap between seasoned and novice lawyers. Hylton argues, "Having looked around at a lot of the research that's going on in the space, my view of
that is what AI will actually do is act as a force multiplier..." This perspective raises significant points about the future of the legal profession, where he believes the most talented lawyers will leverage AI to even greater advantage, effectively leaving others behind.

Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is not immune to AI's encroachment. Director Joe Russo, part of the famed Russo brothers duo, spoke openly about AI's increasing role in Hollywood on March 17, 2025. His comments ignited social media with fans humorously speculating on scenarios like AI writing scripts, with one astute fan noting, “Industry secrets are just TikTok tutorials now.” Social media platforms erupted with memes and jokes, as people envisioned actors competing with AI for roles. The public's imagination has run wild, considering scenes where top-tier Hollywood actors face off against artificial intelligence, perhaps picturing Arnold Schwarzenegger as a sentient kitchen appliance!

On the corporate front, AI is taking on new roles aimed at boosting efficiency. Anthropic, the AI startup known for its Claude models, is spearheading projects targeting enterprise clients—those beleaguered by meetings and excessive email chains. Mike Krieger, Anthropic's Chief Product Officer and Instagram co-founder, is at the helm of these advancements. According to sources, the company is focused on creating AI-powered tools envisioned to streamline workflows for knowledge workers. This includes AI assistants capable of organizing personal calendars and generating comprehensive reports on clients, minimizing preparation time and improving productivity.

The race is on for the AI-driven business solutions market, with Anthropic challenging industry giants like Microsoft and Google. By collaborating with heavyweights such as Amazon and ElevenLabs, the company aims to deliver voice-driven AI solutions, akin to advanced versions of Siri but crafted for professional environments. This endeavor aligns precisely with the needs of organizations hoping to leverage AI to alleviate information overload.

According to Evercore analyst Mark Mahaney, the broader search engine environment is also transfixed by the advancements of generative AI. Mahaney's recent survey sheds light on how users perceive search technologies and services, particularly those provided by Google. His findings indicate Google continues to hold substantial dominance with its share as the primary search engine diminishing only slightly from 80% to 78% from mid-2024 to November of the same year.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 U.S. participants, noted growing interactions with generative AI tools. A significant 60% of respondents reported trying some form of AI-enhanced search capabilities, up from 40% just five months earlier. ChatGPT's usage saw fluctuations, peaking at 5% before slightly declining to 4% as of November 2024. Notably, younger demographics showcased higher rates of engagement with these tools, with 8% of those aged 18-29 preferring ChatGPT.

Mahaney’s analysis, dated March 2025, provides insights beyond the surface-level metrics, demonstrating Google’s continued resilience, especially within commercial categories such as Shopping and Travel. After examining various queries like “Buy a Product” and “Find Ideas for Vacation,” Mahaney reported slight increases for Google's share, affirming its stronghold against other search entities.

His outlook for Google is optimistic, rating GOOGL shares as Outperform with a price target of $205—indicating potential growth of 26% over the next year. Evaluations of the broader consensus among analysts show confidence, with 25 recommending buys against only 11 holding positions, resulting in the stock maintaining its status as a Moderate Buy.

AI is not just reshaping realities; it's redefining how industries operate. The discussions surrounding AI's impact on the legal field, its speculative roles within Hollywood, and its practicality for knowledge workers are representative of the vast opportunities—but also the challenges—confronting these sectors. Each advance brings questions about adaptation, ethics, and the futures of both labor and creative processes.