Google RCT: AI boosts patent lawyers' output but juniors gain no judgment
Dr_Atoosa · x · 2026-10-08
A three-month randomized controlled trial with practicing patent attorneys, led by economist David Autor at Google Research, found routine AI use lifts work quality across the board — but effects on skill-building split by seniority: senior lawyers using AI for 90 days showed stronger unassisted judgment, while junior lawyers saw no average skill gain, with scores polarizing. The study is notable for combining months of real usage, unassisted evaluation, and blinded expert grading.
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