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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jake Rickman" data-source="post: 144415" data-attributes="member: 8521">First off, I just want to say thanks for generating some discussion around commercial awareness in the forum.I agree with the points you raise, and I think they are well reasoned. Concerns about inadvertent discrimination have also been a subject of discussion for at least a few years. Law firms have gotten ahead of the conversation pretty early and developed various strategies and alliances with third party organisations like Rare and Aspiring Solicitors. I have not come across a law firm that does not take a firm stance on the importance of facilitating diversity in the recruitment process. At the same time, the fact is that the graduate recruitment process is basically a black box from the applicant's perspective. This is not a new phenomenon. Applicants have no real insight into what goes on behind the scenes. I suspect algorithmic sifting at the first stage of applications has been a tool used by larger institutions for several years now precisely because it makes the lives of those working in grad rec easier. As you suggest, from the perspective of the business, algorithmic sifting saves costs and better allocates resources because grad rec can focus more on later stage applications and aspects of recruitment that require more a finer touch.But absent some sort of publicly-released third-party audit of recruitment processes, it is unlikely applicants will have any insight into the methods grade rec uses to ensure that inadvertent discrimination does not happen. The modest strides made in diverse hirings suggest to me that their approaches are working, but at the individual level where an application gets reviewed by the firm, it's impossible to say. (Though maybe this is not the case — I have some professional experience with recruitment in general, but not in-house graduate recruitment at law firms, so I am by no means an expert!).But to your last point, I agree that AI needs to be regulated ASAP. It is already presenting us with so many ethical issues like the ones you raised. All that said, I sometimes think the hype around generative AI is preoccupied on the nebulous future potential of the technology, while not focusing on the ways its current capabilities can be rather inadequate. As an experiment, I typed this prompt into ChatGPT:I want you to adopt the following persona: I am a career changer who previously worked as a consultant advising investment funds in the City of London. I want to become a commercial solicitor. I am applying to one of the Magic Circle firms. Generate a response to the application prompt, "Why do you want to be a commercial solicitor?" Condense your answer into 200 words. This was its response:Dear [Hiring Manager],I am writing to express my strong interest in the commercial solicitor position at [Magic Circle Firm]. With a background as a consultant advising investment funds in the City of London, I am seeking a transition into commercial law.Having witnessed the intricate dynamics and complex transactions that shape the business world, I am captivated by the role of commercial solicitors in facilitating and safeguarding these transactions. My experience as a consultant has honed my analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, making me well-suited for this role. I am accustomed to working in high-pressure environments, managing stakeholders, and providing practical advice.The reputation, global reach, and caliber of professionals at [Magic Circle Firm] are inspiring. I am drawn to the challenging and intellectually stimulating work environment that would allow me to work on high-profile cases, collaborate with accomplished colleagues, and continue developing my legal acumen.Ultimately, my passion lies in contributing to the success of businesses, and becoming a commercial solicitor aligns with this goal. The opportunity to delve into diverse legal issues, negotiate complex agreements, and provide strategic advice in a commercial context excites me.Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to bring my diverse background, skills, and enthusiasm to contribute to the esteemed legal team at [Magic Circle Firm]. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my candidacy further.Yours sincerely,[Your Name]My impression is that at first glance, it seems like a decent response. But in fact, it is a rather hollow answer. It does not distinguish the applicant in any way or touch on any of the ways in which the applicant's experiences demonstrate competency. It relies on generic phrases and banalities. It also does not touch on anything specific to the firm in question (though that is partly due to the way the prompt is crafted).Someone could probably tinker with the prompts again and again and arrive at something more substantial, but I think you'd have to end up doing a lot of research and self-reflection anyway.</blockquote>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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