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• Over 12,000 Bella Pro Series and Cooks coffee machines have been recalled
• Several users reported injuries after their machines failed at high pressure
• Owners should stop using the machines immediately and request a refund

Thousands of espresso machines have been recalled after 18 people reported a component being "forcefully ejected" during use. Of those, eight received burns or lacerations as a result.

The affected machines are no longer on sale, but several owners wrote reviews to warn potential customers about the risks before the voluntary recall. Some even included pictures of broken coffee makers in their kitchens.

"The machine blew up on the very first time used," wrote one owner. "Glass and metal flew all over the kitchen. I was getting milk from the refrigerator and that is why I was not hurt."

"This product is dangerous," said another. "It explodes while brewing. The portafilter literally detached itself from the machine during the brewing cycle. I have serious burns [due] to [...] the defect of this machine. Do not buy this machine. It is hazardous."

"The machine blew up"

The problem affects two coffee machines: the Bella Pro Series Steam Espresso Maker and the Cooks Steam Espresso Maker. The machines were imported by Sensio Inc. of New York, and 12,300 were sold at JC Penney and Best Buy – in stores and online – between August 2023 and January 2025.

All the recalled machines are made from black plastic with stainless steel trim and have either “Bella Pro Series” or "Cooks" on the front. Turn your machine over and you should see a sticker bearing the model number. If this is 90195 or 22395, you should stop using it immediately according to guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

To request a refund, you can contact Sensio toll-free at 855-647-3125 between 8 am and 5 pm ET Monday through Friday, or visit Bella Kitchenware's website. You will need to damage the UL certification number under the machine, cut its cord, and provide photos as evidence that you've made it unusable.

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• Samsung promises free repairs for everybody
• You're probably going to have to send your unit away for a while
• Some support techs don't seem to have been informed

As we reported last week, several Samsung soundbars including the flagship Samsung HW-Q990D have been rendered inoperable by a faulty firmware update. The firm promised to investigate, and now there's a free fix – although it's not ideal.

In a statement sent to Digital Trends, Samsung said:

“Samsung Electronics has identified a software update error as the cause of the operational issue affecting certain 2024 soundbar devices. We are taking immediate action to resolve the situation. Samsung is offering free repairs for all affected units—regardless of warranty status.”

Unfortunately that's likely to require you to send your soundbar away for a while – hardly convenient for a hefty soundbar at the best of times, and maybe doubly so if you didn't keep the box. And that's not to mention that your TV audio will suffer during that time…

It also seems that Samsung hasn't told all its support techs yet, based on reports online.

Samsung HW-Q990D: affected users have been promised free repair irrespective of warranty status. (Image credit: Future) What are Samsung support techs saying?

Some Samsung owners have turned to Reddit to discuss the "debacle", with some saying that support techs have been problematic: TigerHawk7 was "offered free parts but [told to] pay shipping and labor and that was after arguing after quite some time."

Over on the Samsung community forums, UK user ApocalypseRogue7122 – whose experience with support so far has been very frustrating, with Samsung initially refusing to take the soundbar back – reports getting a call from Samsung's authorized UK repairer: "The affected soundbars require a 'new part' (motherboard) and due to the number of failures Samsung is out of stock of said part. He told me that they (Mint Group FX) have ordered the part and if they are unable to get it by next Wednesday 25th March, then I will either receive a refund or replacement unit."

Hopefully Samsung is on top of this, because it's bad enough having to send back a soundbar without then having to wait an uncertain amount of time for a repair or replacement.

We've asked Samsung what customers should do if they encounter problems getting a free repair, and we'll update you when the company responds.

We rate Samsung's options highly among the best soundbars, and while it sounds like the update danger has now passed, Samsung's response to the problem might strongly affect how well people trust the company in the future. You only need to look at Sonos' nearly year-long problems to know that trust can be broken quickly and slow to regain.

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• Employees of Minecraft developer Mojang have spoken on the role of generative AI in game development at a recent event
• They didn't seem too thrilled with the technology and stated that Minecraft required a human touch
• It comes as other Microsoft studios begin to use generative AI more heavily

It seems like you don't need to worry about generative AI (artificial intelligence) worming its way into the hit open-world survival game Minecraft.

According to IGN, Minecraft Vanilla game director Agnes Larsson discussed the issue of AI in game development at a recent event and wasn't too enthusiastic about the prospect. “Here for us, just like Minecraft is about creativity and creating,” they said.

“I think it's important that it makes us feel happy to create as humans. That's a purpose, [that] makes life look beautiful. So for us, we really want it to be our teams that make our games.”

Minecraft Vanilla executive producer Ingela Garneij added that the "specific touch of: what is Minecraft, how does it look?" is an "extra quality" that "is really tricky to create through AI." They even said that the developer has struggled to work with remote teams and emphasized the importance of human, face-to-face interactions.

"I mean creativity is... you need to meet like this as a person as a human to really truly understand the values and principles and the ecosystem," Garneij continued. "The lore, everything - it's so massive. Minecraft, it's a planet, it's massive."

Minecraft developer Mojang is a part of Xbox Game Studios and is ultimately owned by Microsoft. Other Xbox Game Studios developers don't appear to share the same reservations regarding generative AI. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, for example, is filled with assets that were created with generative AI tools - a decision that caused some backlash within the game's community.

Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed a "breakthrough" generative AI model that could be used to "create consistent and diverse gameplay." Known as Project Muse, Xbox head Phil Spencer indicated that it could be used to help preserve old games.

Although generative AI seems exciting and is becoming an increasingly large part of our lives, it poses a number of ethical and environmental concerns that seem tricky to resolve. The decision to keep it away from Minecraft seems to go hand-in-hand with the game's focus on exploring a distinctly human kind of creativity.

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• RTX 5060 Ti is apparently set to be ‘released’ come April 16, a new rumor insists
• A further rumor backs up the theory of this being an on-sale date for the GPU
• It looks like we’ll have to wait until May for the vanilla RTX 5060 to hit shelves, though

We have a supposed release date for Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards, with the rumor mill offering up a date of April 16.

This comes from leaker Wxnod, who chips in to the rumor scene on X from time to time, and has provided correct info in the past (although we must, of course, remain very cautious here).

5060Ti will be released on April 16th at 9pm, along with 8GB and 16GBMarch 22, 2025

As you can see in the above post, the assertion is that the RTX 5060 Ti will be ‘released’ on April 16th at 9pm (I’ll come back to the wording here, and the lateness of the mentioned hour, shortly). And as the grapevine has insisted for a long time now, we’re told that this GPU will come in both 8GB and 16GB flavors, and both of these versions will be out on that day in mid-April.

This aligns with other recent chatter about the RTX 5060 Ti which claimed exactly this, that these GPUs are due in the middle of April.

Those past rumors also theorize that its lesser sibling, the vanilla RTX 5060 (with just 8GB of VRAM), will arrive a month later in mid-May, though Wxnod doesn’t mention that card.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: Close at hand

If the rumor mill is right, Nvidia has delayed all of these RTX 5060 models a couple of times, perhaps – certainly there was speculation about a March launch in the past, and then talk of issues that needed to be fixed with the GPU chips. With more consistent chatter now pointing to a launch in the near future, though, it seems like this is now firmly in the cards.

If you’re wondering about the 9pm release mentioned by the leaker, this is likely due to the embargo timing being from an Asian source, because as VideoCardz points out, this aligns with what’d typically be expected in that respect.

When Wxnod says ‘released’ I would normally consider that phrasing to indicate an on-sale date – the graphics cards hitting the shelves – but this could also mean the initial launch (or reveal) of the RTX 5060 Ti models in this context.

However, VideoCardz further flagged up that HKEPC, a Hong Kong-based tech site, also shared a leak (again, add seasoning) claiming that April 16 is in fact the on-sale date for the RTX 5060 Ti, with an announcement apparently due on April 15. (The RTX 5060 could also be revealed on April 15, but won’t be in shops until May, or that’s the theory).

Whatever the case, these GPUs are apparently now close at hand, and what also backs this up is VideoCardz also discovering the purported final specs of the RTX 5060 Ti. The GPU will supposedly run with 4,608 CUDA Cores, a base clock of 2407MHz and boost to 2572MHz, with a power usage of 180W.

The key question will be: how much stock can Nvidia muster? If the answer turns out to be not much, then Team Green might be wise to wait a bit longer and accumulate more supply before unleashing these graphics cards, which are likely to be much more popular than previous Blackwell GPUs due to their affordability. Or risk further wrath from disgruntled gamers who can't buy the GPU they want...

On the other hand, Nvidia is likely feeling the heat from AMD now, with Team Red's new RDNA 4 GPUs doing very well and taking back graphics card market share by all accounts. Given that, Team Green may well feel the pressure to get its RTX 5060 Ti cards on the table, as it were, sooner rather than later. Currently, regarding the RX 9060's release, AMD has only given us a timeframe of Q2, so that could be as late as June.

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• Contextual Smart Replies comes to Gmail Business and Enterprise tiers
• Users will be given a selection of pre-written replies to emails
• Suggestions will consider the entire email thread

Finding the right words for those important business emails could soon be easier than ever thanks to a new Google Gemini AI tool for Gmail.

The email provider is adding "contextual smart replies" into Gmail for its business-focused offerings, allowing its Gemini AI tool to do the heavy lifting (and thinking) when it comes to writing better emails.

The feature uses Gemini to analyze the context of an email, and then suggest and offer more detailed responses in order to, "fully capture the intent of your message".

Smarter replies in Gmail

(Image credit: Google)

The tool is targeted at workplace usage, and will be added to Google Workspace Business and Enterprise plans without the need to purchase a separate Gemini add-on.

"The contextual Smart Reply feature saves time and makes replying to emails more efficient," the blog post added, noting it would be ideal for those "short on time or need help finding the right words."

When launching an email reply, users will now be given several response options generated by Gemini at the bottom of their screen

Hovering over a response will provide you with a quick preview of the text, which takes the full content of the email thread into consideration. When selected, the email can be sent straight away, or edited further if needed.

The tool is available now across Google Workspace Business Starter, Standard, and Plus tiers, along with Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus tiers.

The news follows the launch of Smart Replies in Gmail back in September 2024, which offered a selection of pre-written responses.

Gmail also recently rolled out a new, smarter search function that will list results in terms of relevance, rather than just in chronological order.

Factoring in details such as recency, most-clicked emails, and frequent contacts, the company says this means the emails you’re actually looking for should be far more likely to be at the top of your search results.

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• Apple is said to still be working on cameras in AirPods
• iOS 18's Visual Intelligence is at the heart of Apple's plans
• Features are still "generations away"

We've known the "what" for some time – Apple is experimenting with cameras in its AirPods – and now we perhaps know the "why". A new report sheds light on Apple's plans for future AirPods, and if the tech can do what it promises to do it could be a really important personal safety feature.

There is an important caveat, though: the features are "still at least generations away from hitting the market".

The report comes from the well-connected Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who says that "Apple’s ultimate plan for Visual Intelligence goes far beyond the iPhone." And AirPods are a big part of that plan.

According to Gurman, Visual Intelligence – recognizing the world around you and providing useful information or assistance – is considered a very big deal inside Apple, and it's planning to put cameras in both the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra too. As with the AirPods, "this would help the device see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information."

How AirPods will work with Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence was introduced in iOS 18 for the iPhone 16, and it enables you to point the camera at something and find out more about it: the type of plant, the breed of dog (as in the image at the top of this article), the opening hours of the café you've just found, and so on.

(Image credit: Apple)

Visual Intelligence can also translate text, and maybe one day it'll be able to help people like me who have a shockingly bad memory for names and faces.

The big problem with Visual Intelligence, though, is that you have to bring out your phone to do it. And there are circumstances where you're not going to want to do that. I'm reminded of when Apple brought Maps to the Apple Watch: by making it possible to use Maps without broadcasting "I am not from here and I am hopelessly lost. Also I have a very expensive phone" to all the neighborhood villains, it was an important personal safety feature.

This could be too. If Apple makes it possible to invoke Visual Intelligence with a point of the head and a squeeze of the stems, that would enable you to get important information – such as a translation of a direction sign in another country – without waving your phone around.

We're a long way from actually having these features – don't expect them in the AirPods Pro 3, which will probably arrive later in 2025. But I'm excited by the prospect: imagine Apple Intelligence, but good.

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(Image credit: Jehad Alshrafi)

The spring season brings a lot of changes with it, which can easily alter your mood. This is what you should know about springtime euphoria.

Sky Glass turned the world of TV upside down when it launched two years ago. And now there's a brand new version that's even more amazing.

Sky Glass isn't just an amazing TV. It's an amazing TV with Sky built-in. Techradar called the original "a paradigm shift that's set up to shake up the whole premium TV market... it's an all-in-one premium TV package that opens the door to a whole new age of streaming TV." And you don't need a dish or a set-top box to enjoy it: Sky Glass works with your Wi-Fi.

The new Sky Glass Gen 2 is brighter, better and even more awesome – and it's still incredibly affordable. The Sky Glass Gen 2 TV can be yours from just £14 per month.

A viewing experience that's out of this world

Sky Glass Gen 2 comes with a big display upgrade: it now has a much brighter 4K Quantum Dot screen for crystal-clear pictures. There's new advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing and precision contrast enhancement too: the darks are darker and the brights are much brighter.

There's some really clever technology behind that screen. Sky Glass gives you a tailored viewing experience based on what you're watching. It does that by analysing the on-screen images, automatically optimising the picture and the sound to bring out the best in every show.

(Image credit: Sky) Atmos just got even more awesome

Sky Glass Gen 2 doesn't just look amazing. It sounds amazing too. That's because it's been expertly engineered to deliver even more immersive 360º cinematic sound. Inside that gorgeous case there's not two, not four but seven Dolby Atmos speakers including a soundbar and a dual subwoofer to handle the all-important low end in movies and music. The second-generation Sky Glass sounds absolutely incredible.

The smarter way to stream

Sky Glass Gen 2 comes with the latest version of Sky OS, the intelligent software that makes the magic happen. It brings your entertainment from Sky and from other apps into one place, making it easy to find the shows you want to stream, and thanks to its voice control it's all ears: just say "Hello Sky" and you can tell Sky Glass what you want to see. You can also search for your favourite actors, shows, movies or genres across all your TV apps. Thanks to Sky OS you get to what you want, faster.

(Image credit: Sky) The perfect fit for your home

The new Sky Glass Gen 2 looks great when you're not watching it too. That's because it's been designed to look good in any home. There are three sizes to suit every space – 43 inches, 55 inches and 65 inches – and three great colours: Volcanic Grey, Arctic Silver and Atlantic Blue.

Extraordinary TV at an extraordinary price

From House of the Dragon and The White Lotus to Stranger Things and Squid Game 2, Sky brings you extraordinary entertainment from just £15 per month for the Sky Entertainment package. That means you can get a brand new Sky Glass Gen 2 TV with Sky, Netflix and discovery+ for just £29 per month.

If you've been hankering after a new TV or just want to get more bang for your streaming bucks, Sky Glass is a really exciting upgrade – and you can see it in action at your local Currys, where expert advisors can help you discover its superb display, audio and Sky OS. And of course, as it's Currys you can choose between in-store pickup and flexible delivery options. You can even recycle your old TV: Currys is the UK's largest tech retailer and recycler, saving 60,000 tons of tech from landfill every year.

Click here to find out more about the superb Sky Glass TV and discover a world of exceptional entertainment.

• Microsoft Teams adds slide control feature for multiple users
• Should allow for smooth running of presentations and calls
• Set to release in May 2025, but only on Windows to begin

Taking control of presentations on a Microsoft Teams call may finally be a smoother process thanks to a new update.

The video conferencing service has announced it is working on a tweak that will allow multiple people to control slides being presented in a meeting or call.

Microsoft says the addition will mean that presenters are able to maintain "a smooth flow during meetings or webinars" - and honestly, I can't believe it has taken so long for such a tool to be introduced.

Microsoft Teams slide control

In a Microsoft 365 updates blog post announcing the feature, Microsoft notes it will mean meeting or event hosts can now share control of slides with their fellow presenters.

This should mean the end of manual slide changes - and hopefully, the phrase "next slide please", which I think we've all heard too much over the past few years.

The blog post doesn't exactly go into a lot of detail about how the feature will actually work in practice, so we'd have to guess it will be added to the meeting host abilities.

The fact it will allow multiple presenters to have the ability to control slides should probably mean it will require some kind of authentication when joining a call, or having these members manually selected by the person setting up the call - we'll just have to wait and see.

The feature is currently listed as being "in development", but Microsoft has targeted a release rollout date of May 2025, meaning users won't have too long to wait. Upon release, the company says it will be available for all users on Windows desktop to begin with.

The launch is the latest in a series of recent improvements to Microsoft Teams announced by the company as it looks to make the platform more intuitive.

This includes the recent launch of real-time text (RTT) capabilities, allowing participants to type a message while someone else's speech is being transcribed, giving users who prefer typing to speaking another way to make sure their voices get out there.

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• Apple reportedly has big plans for the future of Apple Watch
• A new report says the company is considering adding cameras to the Series and Ultra models
• It would pave the way for AI-powered visual context features, much like the failed Humane AI Pin

While the best Apple Watches coming in 2025 are only expected to add blood pressure monitoring and the odd design tweak, a new report claims Apple is considering adding cameras to both the Series and Ultra versions of its popular smartwatch in the future, turning it into an AI-powered wearable.

Writing in his most recent Power On newsletter, the inimitable Apple insider Mark Gurman claims that Apple "is working on new versions of the Apple Watch that include cameras."

Specifically, he says the company is "considering adding cameras to both its standard Series watches and Ultra models." According to Gurman, the upgrade is likely "generations away," so don't expect to be taking selfies on your Apple Watch Ultra 3 anytime soon.

So what exactly is Apple planning, and what could it mean for the future of an AI-powered Apple Watch?

Apple Intelligence on Apple Watch, powered by cameras

(Image credit: Future)

Gurman delivers his latest big Apple Watch leak in the context of AI wearables. Specifically, he mentions the dismal Humane Ai Pin and Meta's smart glasses.

All of these devices use cameras and microphones powered by AI to deliver the wearer context and information about their surroundings. Suppose you see a monumental building on holiday, but you don't know what it is, snap a quick photo and you can get information about who built it, the purpose it serves, and more... that sort of thing.

Gurman also specifically references the Visual Intelligence feature in Apple Intelligence, which analyzes photos using ChatGPT or Google Search.

In the context of Apple Watch, Gurman indicates onboard cameras and microphones "would help the device see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information."

In terms of design, he says the Apple Watch Series line would feature a front-facing camera akin to the best iPhones. Meanwhile, the larger Ultra would house a camera lens on the side of the watch, specifically on the right-hand side near the Digital Crown and Side Button.

Each would let you point your wrist at an object or your surroundings, scanning them like James Bond for information, presumably delivering content on-screen – for your AIs only (sorry).

The small Apple Watch screen, which limits how much information can be shown, means Apple might get Siri to read out the information through the speaker or a set of AirPods too. It's an interesting proposition, especially given the general lack of success the AI-powered wearables market has delivered to this point.

However, there's clearly more appetite for the likes of Visual Intelligence features on the iPhone 16, so it makes sense that Apple might push those powers onto your wrist one day. As Gurman suggests, this could also pave the way for future Apple Watch FaceTime support, which would be a nice bonus.

As mentioned, this is an upgrade that could be generations away, but one we know Apple is exploring. Just last week we reported on an Apple Watch patent that reveals a device with a folding screen and an onboard camera, so this latest report tracks with that.

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• A new report claims the plastic redesign of the SE 3 has put the budget model in "serious jeopardy"
• The Ultra 3 and Series 11 blood-pressure tracking feature is also reportedly causing issues

Apple is expected to unveil three new Apple Watches in September 2025, but a new report says all three are facing design and development challenges ahead of launch.

The headlines for the company's next three best Apple Watch contenders include a new blood-pressure monitoring system for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, and a significant design overhaul for the budget Apple Watch SE 3.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple "continues to run into problems" with testing the blood-pressure tracking feature on the two more premium models.

He also says the planned switch to a cheaper plastic casing has put the Apple Watch SE 3 redesign in "series jeopardy."

According to Gurman, Apple's design team "doesn't like the look" of the cheaper material, and the operations team "is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis."

Apple Watch 2025 setbacks

(Image credit: Future)

These rumored setbacks will no doubt be a cause of concern for Apple, which needs to deliver a stellar 2025 Apple Watch lineup to make up for a fairly disappointing 2024 that only delivered one iterative Series 10, no Ultra 3 upgrade, and limited watchOS 11 changes.

There is some good news, though, as Gurman seems to indicate that the rumored satellite texting feature for the Ultra 3 is on track, as is the Reduced Capacity 5G upgrade, which will give users a cellular connectivity boost when using their device without their iPhone.

However, the headline features, notably blood-pressure monitoring, were to be a huge selling point of the more expensive models. If Apple can't deliver that, serious questions will be asked at Cupertino.

What's more, there will be even less reason for fans to upgrade from the Series 10 or even from older models. A recent (albeit sketchy) report indicated that Apple Watch shipments declined in 2024, causing the smartwatch market as a whole to shrink for the first time in history. That makes the success of this year's models all the more important.

Gurman doesn't specify what the issues are, but it could indicate problems with the accuracy of blood-pressure data, battery drain, false positives, or several other things.

Apple can take some solace in the fact that it might be able to ship the hardware onboard the Series 11 and Ultra 3, enabling blood-pressure monitoring at a later date, but that outcome would come a distant second for the company compared to offering the feature at launch.

If any company can turn around the issues it's Apple, but the expected launch of its new watches – alongside iPhone 17 – is less than six months away, which means it needs to get developing and prototyping out of the way much sooner than that.

The Apple Watch SE 3 hiccup is a different story. I'm personally less enthused by the rumored switch to plastic, so if Apple doesn't like the look of that material, and it's not going to be any cheaper than aluminum, why not stick with the more premium-feeling material anyway?

Whether Apple can overcome either of these setbacks remains to be seen. We won't know for sure until the watches launch, but expect more updates on this story as September approaches.

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The legal industry is in the midst of a tech revolution driven by advances in AI, but not everyone is ready to jump on board. While 69% of lawyers believe generative AI can be used ethically in legal practice, the profession’s resistance to change and deep-rooted traditions keep many on the sidelines. Yet, with 27% of firms currently using AI tools in their daily operations, AI is already reshaping law practice, improving efficiency, accuracy and client service in ways that were once unimaginable.

This shift isn’t about replacing lawyers; it’s about working smarter. AI takes on the repetitive, time-consuming tasks like legal research, document drafting and compliance tracking, allowing lawyers to focus on the most valuable work. The result? Faster turnaround times, more robust documentation and better client service.

What does this all mean for a practicing attorney? Here’s what a day in the life of an AI-augmented lawyer looks like.

7:30 AM: The AI Assistant Starts Before You Do

Before your day officially begins, AI is already at work. Your digital assistant pulls matter updates, summarizes new legal developments and organizes your to-do list. Practice management tools use AI to prioritize tasks and track deadlines, so when you sit down at your desk, everything is right where you need it.

Pro tip: Want to avoid getting blindsided by an overlooked deadline? Let AI track it for you.

9:00 AM: Drafting Legal Documents Just Got Smarter

Drafting contracts, motions and memos has always been a time-consuming grind. AI changes that. With generative AI tools, you can get a solid first draft in seconds, complete with boilerplate language, relevant clauses and citations to recent case law. This isn’t about replacing your expertise. It’s about speeding up the process so you can focus on the strategic stuff.

AI even flags inconsistencies and suggests revisions, helping you maintain accuracy and reduce errors. Instead of starting every document from scratch, you’re refining and customizing drafts, not wasting hours on repetitive tasks.

11:00 AM: AI-Powered Legal Research

Gone are the days of endless keyword searches and stacks of casebooks. AI research tools sift through thousands of cases, statutes and legal opinions in seconds, delivering precise, on-point results. Some AI platforms even offer predictive insights, showing you patterns in case law and helping you anticipate potential outcomes.

Imagine having an incredibly fast research assistant who never gets tired. It’s a game-changer for attorneys handling complex litigation or regulatory matters.

1:00 PM: Client Meetings, Enhanced by AI

With AI handling research and document prep, you’ve got more time for what clients value most: strategic advice and meaningful engagement. AI-generated summaries give you a comprehensive view of each case before you step into a meeting, so you’re always prepared.

So when a client calls to discuss their case, you no longer have to panic-review their case file; instead, you can ask AI to give you a summary of what’s been happening in the matter. In an increasingly competitive market, offering this personalized service is a clear differentiator.

3:00 PM: Navigating Compliance and Risk with AI

Compliance is a moving target, especially for firms working with clients in highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance. AI tools are like your personal radar system, constantly scanning for regulatory changes and flagging risks. Some platforms even integrate with case management systems to analyze your documents for compliance gaps. Think of it as having a full-time risk manager built into your workflow without the added payroll expense.

5:00 PM: Wrapping Up with Zero Loose Ends

As the day winds down, AI tools step in again, freeing lawyers free to leave on time (or at least closer to it). They organize notes from your meetings, schedule follow-ups and even log your hours automatically. No more scrambling to remember which tasks you logged or which emails need a response.

AI also makes email communication effortless. It drafts client updates, follow-ups and status reports in seconds, helping you avoid the dreaded blank screen. Whether you’re responding to a quick inquiry or summarizing case progress, AI gives you a polished starting point. After a few edits, it’s ready to send.

Why the Legal Industry Hasn’t Fully Embraced AI (Yet)

Despite all these benefits, there’s still resistance. Lawyers have good reason to be cautious, with legitimate issues like data security, bias in AI models and ethical concerns. No one wants to risk exposing sensitive client data or rely on tools that could unintentionally deliver biased recommendations.

But here’s the thing: these concerns are manageable. Vendors are rapidly improving data security and offering customizable, closed-system solutions to protect client information. And let’s not forget that humans aren’t perfect either. Used thoughtfully, AI can reduce human error and enhance decision-making, not replace it.

Another sticking point? The profession’s aversion to change and disruption and a lack of time for experimentation. That hesitation could be costly as tech-savvy competitors gain an edge.

The Future: Lawyers + AI = A Competitive Advantage

Here’s the bottom line: AI isn’t here to replace lawyers; it’s here to make them more effective. By accomplishing administrative work like document prep, research and compliance tracking, AI frees up lawyers to focus on what matters most: high-value client work, courtroom strategy and growing their practices.

Smokeball research shows that 90% of legal professionals are willing to explore AI, especially if it means gaining a competitive advantage. The firms that embrace AI will stand out in an increasingly crowded market. They’ll deliver better results, faster turnaround times and more personalized service while improving work-life balance.

The question isn’t whether AI will change the game but how fast you adapt. Lawyers who seize this moment will be at the forefront of a new era of legal practice. The rest? They’ll be left trying to catch up.

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