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Feeling Disillusioned with AI? You’re Not Alone

May 9, 2025

By:

Fernando A. Delgado
Fernando A. Delgado
Fernando A. Delgado
Sarah Barsky
Sarah Barsky
Sarah Barsky
Brooks Thompson
Brooks Thompson
Brooks Thompson

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, GenAI has emerged as a transformative force, promising to revolutionize various industries, including legal. As with any groundbreaking technology, GenAI follows a predictable pattern. A common framework is the Gartner hype cycle. What can the hype cycle teach us about getting to the real value of GenAI?

Fernando Delgado, Head  of AI & Analytics at Lighthouse and PhD from Cornell University Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, has studied and developed AI solutions, giving him a unique perspective on these hype cycles. He shares keen observations on where we are with AI in legal and eDiscovery and how to navigate the inevitable disillusionment. His practical advice on finding applications that provide real value can help us all ride this fascinating wave to a better future.

This episode's sighting of radical brilliance: "Great Strategy Starts with Experimentation," HBR on Strategy Podcast.

Learn more about the podcast and our guests on lawandcandor.com, rate us wherever you get your podcasts, and join the conversation on LinkedIn.

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Fernando A. Delgado

Fernando A. Delgado, PhD, is the Executive Director of Lighthouse’s AI & Analytics group. In this role, Fernando is responsible for the design and implementation of Lighthouse proprietary solutions across the areas of structured analytics, predictive AI, and generative AI.

He is an expert in legal AI with over 18 years of experience in the legal technology sector. A veteran eDiscovery technologist, Fernando has pioneered multiple technology-forward solutions and services at Lighthouse, including solutions for targeted fact-finding and key documentation identification, cross-matter analysis for strategic work-product re-use, and Gen AI subject matter descriptions for privilege logs. Fernando holds a PhD in Information Science from Cornell University.

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Sarah Barsky

Sarah has been in the eDiscovery industry since 2006 and joined Lighthouse in 2016 as a leader in the Client Services organization. Recently appointed Senior Vice President of Client Experience, she oversees the Client Services, Client Onboarding, Digital Forensics and Self-Service Support organizations. In this role, Sarah is responsible for managing client satisfaction and ensuring excellence at every stage of the eDiscovery process. She leads the company’s elite team of Project Managers and Digital Forensics experts, directing service delivery and ensuring successful customer outcomes. Her track record includes successfully supervising hundreds of large-scale eDiscovery projects, consistently exceeding client expectations and retention targets.

Throughout her career, Sarah has demonstrated remarkable skill in scaling high-performing teams, streamlining operations, and designing innovative support models that drive measurable value. She is committed to fostering collaborative cultures, developing talent, and relentlessly pursuing operational excellence to help clients achieve their strategic objectives.

Sarah’s background includes roles at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, prior to joining the company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. She recently relocated from Seattle back to the east coast where she spends her free time with her two adorable nephews and enjoys hiking, swimming, and all things outdoors.

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Brooks Thompson

Brooks is an eDiscovery professional with over a decade of experience in the industry holding roles in account and project management as well as a leader of client and product teams. He specializes in designing and implementing cost-efficient, automated eDiscovery workflows and products for enterprise clients. In his current role, Brooks directs Spectra support, marketing, development, pricing, and sales in the US and EU. Brooks has a B.A. from the University of Washington.

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