Generic AI gets GCC law wrong. Here's the fix
In the GCC, knowing the law is not enough. You also need to know exactly which legal framework applies. That is one of the challenges LexisNexis set out to address with Lexis+ with Protégé in the Middle East. The real test of Legal AI is not simply how much it knows, but whether it understands where it is. Ask a generic AI model a jurisdiction-specific employment question about a company…
In the GCC, merely possessing legal knowledge is insufficient; understanding the precise legal framework applicable is equally crucial. LexisNexis aimed to tackle this challenge with Lexis+ with Protégé in the Middle East. The ultimate test for Legal AI lies not only in the breadth of its knowledge but also in its comprehension of the jurisdiction.
When presented with a jurisdiction-specific employment inquiry pertaining to a company registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a generic AI model might provide an answer based on the UAE’s Federal Labour Law. Despite appearing authoritative, this answer could inadvertently apply the incorrect legal framework.
DIFC entities are governed by their own employment law and judicial system. Repeating this question for an ADGM entity in Abu Dhabi would further alter the context. Lara Salem, Head of Content Strategy – MENA at LexisNexis Legal & Professional, highlights the risk as not always a glaring flaw but potentially a deceptive yet plausible response grounded in the wrong legal hierarchy.
In legal practice, acceptable solutions must be precise; close enough is not adequate. This is where regional grounding proves beneficial. In the UAE alone, legal professionals must navigate federal legislation, emirate-level rules, and over 40 free zones, including specialized financial jurisdictions with unique legal and judicial frameworks.
The complexity escalates across the GCC. Regional grounding does not commence with an AI model; it originates from the legal intelligence underpinning it. LexisNexis has invested in this market since 2009, launching its first product in 2010. The company has not only developed primary legal content but also practical guidance authored by leading practitioners who work within the region’s legal frameworks daily.
Lexis+ with Protégé integrates AI into this foundation, leveraging authoritative LexisNexis content tailored to the jurisdictions where Middle Eastern lawyers operate, enabling it to discern regional legal context instead of treating the GCC as a unified legal framework. This regional grounding stems from collaboration among regional lawyers, data scientists, and engineers who test the product against real-world legal inquiries while continuously refining the experience.
The writer, Head of Content Strategy – MENA at LexisNexis Legal & Professional, considers this aspect their proudest achievement and intends to refine it further as more lawyers utilize it in practice.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
