SINGAPORE, 11 September 2024 —  A new collaboration between the Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”) and Microsoft Singapore will support the legal profession in its adoption of Generative AI (“GenAI”). A Memorandum of Understanding signalling this collaboration was signed this morning at TechLaw.Fest 2024[1] by Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive, SAL, and Mr Mike Yeh, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs for Microsoft Asia.

The signing followed a fireside chat featuring Mr Edwin Tong SC, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, and Justice Aedit Abdullah, who chairs SAL’s TechLaw.Fest Steering Committee and Mr Yeh. They noted that GenAI’s impact on the legal profession will be significant and highlighted potential use cases in areas as diverse as legal research, talent management and business development (a write-up of their conversation, moderated by Mr Chua Enlai, is attached in Annex A).

The collaboration between SAL and Microsoft will curate and develop resources that cover many of these areas, helping the legal profession use GenAI more effectively and ethically in different areas. The guide, and all other resources developed through this collaboration, will be available for free on SAL’s website.

Harnessing the power of Large Language Models (“LLMs”)

The first of these resources—a guide for using AI prompt engineering to harness the power of LLMs—was launched by Mr Tong today. The guide which includes video demonstrations aims to cultivate effective prompt engineering skills specifically for legal contexts. Users will learn how to structure clear, precise prompts to generate accurate and relevant outcomes. The guide also provides best practices and cautions against common pitfalls when utilising GenAI tools. Showcasing specific use cases of AI in areas such as dispute resolution and corporate law, it equips all legal professionals to navigate the complexities of this emerging technology with confidence.

To complement the guide, SAL will also run a foundational course to give lawyers a broader understanding of GenAI, in addition to specific skills such as prompt engineering and ethical considerations related to it. The first run of the course will be announced in due course.

SAL’s Chief Executive Mr Yeong Zee Kin welcomed the collaboration with Microsoft. “GenAI is transforming the legal landscape by being an effective partner in the lawyer’s office, helping them automate tasks with a precision and accuracy we have never seen before. This collaboration bridges that potential with the end users, so that we equip the entire profession, regardless of practice area, with the tools they need for efficiency and that help uphold the highest ethical standards in an increasingly AI-driven world.”

Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs for Microsoft Asia, Mr Mike Yeh said, "AI is enhancing productivity, revolutionising business and transforming industries like law. To stay competitive and deliver the best outcomes for their clients, lawyers need to master how to use this technology effectively and responsibly. It is also crucial for career development, as our latest Work Trend Index shows 77% of Singaporean leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI skills over more experienced ones without them. In tandem with the integration of Microsoft Copilot into the Ministry of Law’s Legal Technology Platform announced today, we’re thrilled that our collaboration with SAL will empower lawyers with the necessary skills to use generative AI solutions in line with their professional obligations."