The legal AI boom just lured a researcher out of Meta's Superintelligence Lab (www.businessinsider.com)

Ethem Coban, a former researcher at Meta's Superintelligence Lab, has left the tech giant to launch a legal tech startup focused on developing customized AI solutions for law firms. His departure highlights the growing trend of AI talent migrating from major tech companies to the burgeoning legal tech sector, which has seen significant investment and interest as firms increasingly adopt large language models for legal applications. Coban is currently seeking to raise $6 million at a valuation of $25 million, aiming to empower law firms and corporate legal teams to create tailored AI tools that leverage their unique datasets. The significance of Coban’s move lies in the broader shift within the legal industry towards AI-driven efficiency, which traditionally lagged in technology adoption. His experience in training models to answer legal queries and minimize inaccuracies positions him well to meet the rising demand for proprietary AI solutions. Law firms, recognizing the potential of AI to enhance their operations and gain a competitive edge, are investing heavily in building their own technologies, with firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins leading the way. Coban’s challenge will be to convince these firms that his intimate knowledge of AI development makes him the ideal candidate to create the solutions they need.