Auth. note: Though it was certainly tempting, no artificial intelligence technology was used to create this publication. All appearing em dashes were added by the author — just as nature intended.
Welcome to the sequel to the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary (2022). This edition updates a vestige of the pre-AI world to share all of the AI and practice management terminology you need to be funner at parties.
Here, we’re pleased to share Chapter 4. Feel free to download the full eBook using the form at the bottom of this post.
The Shades of Artificial Intelligence Present
There is much to learn about how modern AI functions, from large language models (the datasets and operations that make GPTs operate) through to agentic AI (workflow automations that can remove human intervention from processes).
large language model n. 1. an AI-based system that can understand and analyze massive datasets to make predictions for the generation of responses that resemble human language.
Related Words
massive data training, deep learning architecture, self-attention, parameters, latency, throughput, instruction tuning, reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF)
Synonyms
big ‘ol dataset, plagiarism feedbag, “Damn I write fiction just like George R.R. Martin – it’s wild?!?!”
generative pre-trained transformer n. (1) a large language model that is built on neural network architecture, allowing it to understand words and their context, in order to generate new content therefrom. (2) Optimus Prime.
Related Words
generative: able to produce novel content that is human-like
pre-trained: already trained on gargantuan electronic libraries, which training users can further fine-tune.
transformer: neural network focused on sequence handling/managing
Example Sentence
Amanda: I knew AI was going to be a real thing, when my mom texted me about ChatGPT in July 2023.
Ralph: Truth.
Amanda: She may even have used a GPT to write the text for her.
Ralph: Harsh.
deep learning n. 1. multilayered neural networks that perform tasks.
Example Sentence
Belly: If one neural network is good, multiple have to be even better, right?
Conrad: Hell yeah, when I set my GPT to deep thinking mode, my results are fire.
Jeremiah: I know, but it takes sooooooo long to generate results.
Jeremiah: I mean, I could be grabbing a boba tea, instead of waiting for my results for all that.
Conrad: But, then you’ll have to come back and iterate further . . .
Jeremiah: . . . while sipping my boba!
Related Words
Antonyms
‘classic’ machine learning, rule-based AI, linear regression, decision trees, algorithms, support-vector machines
token n. 1. the smallest units of data AI models utilize to understand and interpret language. 2. a method of payment for utilizing AI services based on data consumption. 3. several of them had a chart hit with ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ in 1961.
Etymology
Tokens have an ancient history. They were used in pre-literate cultures to signify economic units. The word itself derives from the Old English term ‘tacen,’ which meant a ‘sign, symbol, evidence or portent.’ In modernity, tokens have been used in a number of online contexts, including: for payment in metaverses, as digital assets in cryptocurrency blockchains, and as a way to measure and pay for AI usage.
Example Sentence
Cynthia: I blew through all my Robux buying a pad in Bloxburg; now, I gotta buy more tokens to create my website using an AI agent.
Stephanie: Gotta get that paper.
Cynthia: It’s literally digital coin.
Cynthia: Get with it, Stephanie.
agentic AI n. 1. Autonomous artificial intelligence systems that can mechanize entire workflows and revise them, without human intervention.
Related Words
agent-to-human handoff, sentiment analysis, headless AI agent, long-term coherence, dynamic resource allocation, context window
Antonyms
generative-only AI, manual workflows, rules-based AI, static AI
Example Sentence
Gerald: I’ve designed an AI agent to submit all my law school homework.
Gerry: I’m gonna graduate from Yale Law School simply by vibe coding.
Jerrold: HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Geraldine: What are you all talking about??
Gerald, Jerrold, Gerry: NOTHING.
vibe code v. 1. the act of utilizing AI agents to write software code by inputting natural language prompts
Etymology
The notion of ‘vibes’ began as jazz slang in the 1940s, describing the production of the vibraphone – a xylophone-like instrument. This idea gained even more significant current (and its modern) meaning in the 1960s, as exemplified by the Beach Boys’ record-breaking single ‘Good Vibrations.’ ‘Vibes’ relate to the emotion-inducing energy of a person, place or thing. The full phrase ‘vibe coding’ was coined by Andrej Karpathy, in 2025.
Related Words
active verification, high-level intent, conversational iteration, rapid prototyping, S.C.A.F.F. framework, code gardener
CosmoLex is proud to sponsor this edition of the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary. As an end-to-end practice management platform built specifically for small to midsize law firms, CosmoLex integrates AI directly into the workflows attorneys rely on every day — summarizing documents, filtering matters and invoices in plain language, automating intake, and streamlining firm workflows. No separate tool to learn, no AI layer dropped onto a legacy system. Practical functionality built into the platform where the work already happens, with the compliance guardrails law firms actually need.
Download the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary — Version 2.0
Jared Correia, a consultant and legal technology expert, is the host of “Adventures in Legal Tech,” the featured podcast of Above the Law’s Legal Tech Center.
The post The Legal Tech-To-English Dictionary (2.0): The Current State Of AI appeared first on Above the Law.
Auth. note: Though it was certainly tempting, no artificial intelligence technology was used to create this publication. All appearing em dashes were added by the author — just as nature intended.
Welcome to the sequel to the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary (2022). This edition updates a vestige of the pre-AI world to share all of the AI and practice management terminology you need to be funner at parties.
Here, we’re pleased to share Chapter 4. Feel free to download the full eBook using the form at the bottom of this post.
The Shades of Artificial Intelligence Present
There is much to learn about how modern AI functions, from large language models (the datasets and operations that make GPTs operate) through to agentic AI (workflow automations that can remove human intervention from processes).
large language model n. 1. an AI-based system that can understand and analyze massive datasets to make predictions for the generation of responses that resemble human language.
Related Words
massive data training, deep learning architecture, self-attention, parameters, latency, throughput, instruction tuning, reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF)
Synonyms
big ‘ol dataset, plagiarism feedbag, “Damn I write fiction just like George R.R. Martin – it’s wild?!?!”
generative pre-trained transformer n. (1) a large language model that is built on neural network architecture, allowing it to understand words and their context, in order to generate new content therefrom. (2) Optimus Prime.
Related Words
generative: able to produce novel content that is human-like
pre-trained: already trained on gargantuan electronic libraries, which training users can further fine-tune.
transformer: neural network focused on sequence handling/managing
Example Sentence
Amanda: I knew AI was going to be a real thing, when my mom texted me about ChatGPT in July 2023.
Ralph: Truth.
Amanda: She may even have used a GPT to write the text for her.
Ralph: Harsh.
deep learning n.1. multilayered neural networks that perform tasks.
Example Sentence
Belly: If one neural network is good, multiple have to be even better, right?
Conrad: Hell yeah, when I set my GPT to deep thinking mode, my results are fire.
Jeremiah: I know, but it takes sooooooo long to generate results.
Jeremiah: I mean, I could be grabbing a boba tea, instead of waiting for my results for all that.
Conrad: But, then you’ll have to come back and iterate further . . .
Jeremiah: . . . while sipping my boba!
Related Words
Antonyms
‘classic’ machine learning, rule-based AI, linear regression, decision trees, algorithms, support-vector machines
token n. 1. the smallest units of data AI models utilize to understand and interpret language. 2. a method of payment for utilizing AI services based on data consumption. 3. several of them had a chart hit with ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ in 1961.
Etymology
Tokens have an ancient history. They were used in pre-literate cultures to signify economic units. The word itself derives from the Old English term ‘tacen,’ which meant a ‘sign, symbol, evidence or portent.’ In modernity, tokens have been used in a number of online contexts, including: for payment in metaverses, as digital assets in cryptocurrency blockchains, and as a way to measure and pay for AI usage.
Example Sentence
Cynthia: I blew through all my Robux buying a pad in Bloxburg; now, I gotta buy more tokens to create my website using an AI agent.
Stephanie: Gotta get that paper.
Cynthia: It’s literally digital coin.
Cynthia: Get with it, Stephanie.
agentic AI n. 1. Autonomous artificial intelligence systems that can mechanize entire workflows and revise them, without human intervention.
Related Words
agent-to-human handoff, sentiment analysis, headless AI agent, long-term coherence, dynamic resource allocation, context window
Antonyms
generative-only AI, manual workflows, rules-based AI, static AI
Example Sentence
Gerald: I’ve designed an AI agent to submit all my law school homework.
Gerry: I’m gonna graduate from Yale Law School simply by vibe coding.
Jerrold: HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Geraldine: What are you all talking about??
Gerald, Jerrold, Gerry: NOTHING.
vibe code v. 1. the act of utilizing AI agents to write software code by inputting natural language prompts
Etymology
The notion of ‘vibes’ began as jazz slang in the 1940s, describing the production of the vibraphone – a xylophone-like instrument. This idea gained even more significant current (and its modern) meaning in the 1960s, as exemplified by the Beach Boys’ record-breaking single ‘Good Vibrations.’ ‘Vibes’ relate to the emotion-inducing energy of a person, place or thing. The full phrase ‘vibe coding’ was coined by Andrej Karpathy, in 2025.
Related Words
active verification, high-level intent, conversational iteration, rapid prototyping, S.C.A.F.F. framework, code gardener
CosmoLex is proud to sponsor this edition of the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary. As an end-to-end practice management platform built specifically for small to midsize law firms, CosmoLex integrates AI directly into the workflows attorneys rely on every day — summarizing documents, filtering matters and invoices in plain language, automating intake, and streamlining firm workflows. No separate tool to learn, no AI layer dropped onto a legacy system. Practical functionality built into the platform where the work already happens, with the compliance guardrails law firms actually need.
Download the Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary — Version 2.0
Jared Correia, a consultant and legal technology expert, is the host of “Adventures in Legal Tech,” the featured podcast of Above the Law’s Legal Tech Center.
