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December 15, 20245 min read
AI Ethics

Transparency in Legal AI: The Glass Box Approach

How transparent AI design differs from black box systems, and why it matters for legal technology.

Alexander D. Brewsaugh

Founder & CEO

Black Box vs. Glass Box

Most AI systems are black boxes. Data goes in, results come out, and the process between them remains opaque—sometimes even to the developers who built the system.

This opacity is acceptable for many applications. Recommendation algorithms, image filters, and music playlists don't require traceability.

Legal technology is different. When AI calculates a disability rating or surfaces relevant case law, the reasoning matters. Transparency isn't a feature—it's a design requirement.

What Transparency Means in Practice

Transparent AI shows its work. For our PD ratings calculator, that means displaying:

  • Every body part included in the calculation
  • Every impairment rating applied
  • Every adjustment factor used
  • The combining formula step by step
  • The complete calculation with full documentation
  • Each step can be verified against the statutory framework. The output isn't just a number—it's a documented process.

    The Six Pillars Framework

    Glass Box products are built around six principles:

    Source Traceability. Outputs link to the inputs that generated them.

    Decision Explainability. The reasoning behind conclusions is documented.

    Audit Capability. Complete logs of operations are maintained.

    Human Oversight. Attorneys review outputs before use.

    Compliance Architecture. Tools are designed for regulatory requirements.

    Bias Transparency. Known limitations are disclosed.

    Error Handling

    Transparent systems acknowledge uncertainty. When our tools encounter edge cases or low-confidence situations, they indicate this clearly. Confidence scores and limitation disclosures are part of the output.

    Why We Built This Way

    Our name reflects our design philosophy. Glass Box means visible processes, documented reasoning, and verifiable outputs. Every tool we build follows these principles.

    This approach shapes what we can offer: AI assistance with clear traceability, not black box automation.

    Alexander D. Brewsaugh

    Founder & CEO

    Ready to See Transparent AI in Action?

    Try our free PD ratings calculator and see what Glass Box technology can do for your practice.