Making Talk Cheap: Are AI Tools Devaluing Legal Writing?

Is AI making legal writing too easy—and too cheap? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore how generative AI tools are reshaping writing as a professional skill. They discuss the paper “Making Talk Cheap,” which argues that when anyone can generate polished text, writing loses its value as a signal of skill, effort, or merit. What does this mean for hiring, advancement, and lawyering in the AI era? Plus, they unpack a new Wharton study showing how enterprise AI use is soaring—with real ROI—while sharing personal stories of AI’s practical impact.

Topics Covered:

• Wharton’s 2025 report on enterprise AI adoption and ROI (vs. the “failed pilots” narrative)
• How generative AI is leveling the playing field in writing quality
• The Making Talk Cheap study on devalued written work and hiring signals
• Implications for legal hiring, promotion, and skill development in the AI era

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