New LSC podcast teases tech conference, emerging trends

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WASHINGTON- On a new episode of "Talk Justice," a podcast by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), experts discussed notable topics expected at the upcoming Innovations in Technology Conference (ITC) and findings from a new justice tech report.

For the episode, host Cat Moon is joined by Katie Strickfaden, chief operating officer at Lakeshore Legal Aid in Michigan; Luigi Bai, managing attorney of Lone Star Legal Aid's Innovation Team in Texas; and Selena Hunn, deputy director of LSC's Office of Program Performance.

Themes of navigating the changing tech landscape, expanding self-help resources, innovating with artificial intelligence (AI) and knowledge-sharing between organizations emerged in the guests' discussion of ITC and LSC's recent report, "The Next Frontier: Harnessing Technology to Close the Justice Gap."

"One of the best things I think about the conference is being able to learn from other legal aids and [knowing that] you don't have to come up with all the ideas," said Strickfaden.

Strickfaden and Hunn both pointed to a session called "Strategic Technology Leadership During Turbulent Times," as one of their most anticipated panels. It will look at critical decision-making in an era of increasing technological disruption and digital risks. The session will be available to stream on LSC's YouTube Channel at 10 am CT on January 28.

"I'm always interested in learning how leaders are adopting technology and readying their programs or their organizations to take on new technology projects or adapt in an ever-changing, rapidly evolving world," said Hunn.

Bai expressed interest in a session called "Innovating Injustice: How Predictive AI Harms Low-Income Communities," as well as another session about creating self-help legal resources.

"We provide a lot of legal information to the public, and so I'm excited about this one session called 'Power and Partnership,'" said Bai. "I'm a firm believer that people can help themselves with their legal problems, as long as they get some good guidance from licensed professionals."

Hunn explained that LSC's new report explores how to leverage recent developments, like AI, for the improvement of legal services delivery and the advancement of access to justice.

"The ultimate goal was to not only develop recommendations that would inform how LSC can be more responsive in its grant-making and funding of legal aid or legal services technology projects and solutions, but also implore the broader sector to accept this charge, this challenge, and understand the role that they can also play in using technology to promote access to justice," Hunn said.

The 26^th ITC is taking place January 28-29 in San Antonio, where more than 700 professionals working in legal technology, legal services, law schools and courts will gather to explore the latest topics at the intersection of legal services and technology. Sixteen ITC sessions will be streamed for free on LSC's YouTube channel.

Listen to the full episode of Talk Justice online, on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. The podcast is sponsored by LSC's Leaders Council.