Yan Campagnolo, Leonie van Haernen, Shaarini Ravitharan, and Emma Murray, all of the University of Ottawa, Common Law Section, have published Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Legal Journals as Ottawa Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2025-04. Here is the abstract.
This report provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges presented by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on legal journals, including the Ottawa Law Review (OLR). Throughout the publication lifecycle of a given piece, AI tools may play a pivotal role in enhancing the editorial and publishing processes. Similarly, authors submitting to legal journals may also leverage AI tools for purposes that range from improving readability to generating content. While the potential benefits are significant, the use of such tools raises various issues pertaining to the accuracy and quality of publications, as well as broader ethical and legal issues. Journals—both legal and non-legal—have responded to these opportunities and challenges at different speeds and in different ways. Some journals in non-legal disciplines have developed extensive AI policies, while the majority of legal journals—particularly in Canada—appear to be falling behind in this regard. This report contains several recommendations that will empower the OLR to embrace the transformative potential of AI responsibly while maintaining its commitment to safeguarding privacy, intellectual property, and scholarly rigour. Central to this endeavour is the adoption of three AI policies: one covering the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in submissions, another addressing AI usage in the peer review process, and a final one relating to the editorial team. This report ultimately aspires to ensure the OLR upholds its reputation as a reliable contributor to legal scholarship by guiding the organization through this new technological revolution.
Download the report from SSRN at the link.