There are many concerns about the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI), but in the highly competitive world of law firm marketing, waiting to use AI tools puts you at a competitive disadvantage. For example, AI tools like GitHub Copilot can help law firms build high-performing websites much faster than they would otherwise be able to.

In this blog, we discuss some of the benefits of using AI for web development of law firm websites. We also address concerns some may have about whether AI tools could replace web developers. In short, AI tools are meant to enhance web developers’ capabilities, not replace them. These tools require the oversight of experienced web developers.

At PMP, we pride ourselves on finding efficient solutions to help law firms get more cases, and this includes using AI tools. Contact us to discuss a customized solution to your marketing needs.

How Can AI Help Developers Build Websites?

Web developers can use AI in a variety of ways to improve and streamline their work, reducing the amount of time they need to spend manually writing code. These are some of the specific ways developers are utilizing AI tools.

Generating Code

AI can generate large blocks of code based on the developer’s prompts. AI tools use natural language processing to figure out what developers are looking for and generate a first draft of sorts. Developers still need to comb through the code to fix mistakes and make other refinements.

Using AI tools in this way frees up developers to spend time working on more complex problems. Developers would have less time to do this if they had to devote time to writing the entire block of code.

Many web developers are using GitHub Copilot to help them generate code. For example, this tool can recommend code as developers are typing. This prompt is sort of like auto complete on an iPhone.

GitHub Copilot can be used with many programming languages, and it is constantly learning how to make better suggestions to complete lines of code. This tool also seamlessly integrates with many well-known development environments.

Debugging and Testing Code

Developers do not need to spend hours trying to identify the problem with a particular line of code. They can run code through an AI tool to help them identify the bugs more quickly. This approach allows developers to devote more time to solving the problem instead of trying to find it.

Enhancing User Experience

You can use AI algorithms to analyze the behavior of your website users. Some AI tools recommend design changes that will help improve user engagement with your website, which may make them more likely to convert.

Using AI tools in this way enables developers to spend less time combing through data so they can focus their efforts on improving the website.

What Are the Pros and Cons of AI for Developers?

There are numerous ways to benefit from implementing AI tools into website development, such as:

  • Increased efficiency: AI significantly reduces the time required for various development tasks, from coding to testing.
  • Cost-effectiveness: While you may need to make significant upfront investment in AI tools, the long-term savings are substantial. Automating routine tasks can reduce labor costs and reduce errors, which can decrease the cost of maintaining a website.
  • Improving accessibility: AI tools can help developers make sure their websites meet accessibility standards, allowing people with disabilities to make full use of these websites.

However, there are some cons to using AI to build and maintain law firm websites. For example, law firms need to make sure they are protecting sensitive data about their clients. Developers need to be careful about what data they feed to AI tools.

Another con of using AI tools is there can be a learning curve at the beginning. This can slow things down and potentially be disruptive. That said, the time you save after making the transition could more than make up for disruptions as you integrate AI into your processes.

Can AI Tools Replace Web Developers?

There are legitimate concerns about whether AI will replace jobs that are currently filled by human beings. However, AI tools are not meant to replace web developers. While these tools can improve efficiency and help developers come up with creative solutions to problems, they still require human oversight because:

  • AI tools do not always know when they have made a mistake. Developers must review AI-generated code and adjust it as necessary.
  • While AI tools are effective solutions for tasks that require speed and precision, they struggle with strategic planning and creative input. AI does not yet have the capacity to troubleshoot complex problems with website code.
  • These tools cannot replace the creativity and judgment of an experienced web developer who can come up with unique solutions to a variety of problems. Experience helps these professionals develop good judgment about what to do in a variety of situations. AI cannot replicate this natural process.

In the context of law firm websites, it is important to remember that each law firm has unique needs and challenges. While AI can generate templates and standard solutions, developers need to customize AI suggestions based on a firm’s specific needs and goals.

The bottom line is that AI frees up web developers and other highly skilled creative professionals to spend their time on the high-level aspects of building websites. They no longer need to get bogged down in the minutiae of writing lines of code and spending hours debugging webpages.

AI is meant to enhance the capabilities of web developers rather than replace them, which is why so many developers have quickly gotten on board with integrating AI into their toolbox.

If you are looking to improve your website to help your firm get more cases, call PMP to learn how our experienced marketing professionals may be able to assist you.