Introduction

DocuInsight is an ambitious project currently under development for the DocuSign Hackathon, which runs from November 20, 2024, to January 27, 2025. This hackathon is a valuable opportunity for us to validate our idea and potentially gain some publicity. We aim to simplify the often confusing world of legal contracts and make them more accessible to everyone without replacing lawyers. Instead, we provide users with more options for understanding legal contracts they are signing, beyond just using ChatGPT, Google Search, or signing without care.

Problem Statement

Legal contracts are notorious for their complexity, filled with dense legal jargon that is difficult for the average person to understand. This lack of clarity often leads to individuals signing agreements without fully comprehending the terms, which can have serious consequences. Waiting for legal explanations or relying on the document sender for clarity can create delays, and in many cases, people sign contracts without reviewing them thoroughly just to save time.

Our Solution

DocuInsight is an extension for DocuSign, designed to help users understand legal contracts more effectively. By leveraging advanced AI models (LLMs), DocuInsight aims to:

1. Parse various document formats, including images, PDFs, and Word files.
2. Highlight key sections and simplify complex legal terms into plain English.
3. Provide citation-backed explanations to ensure accuracy and reduce hallucinations.
4. Offer an interactive chat interface that allows users to “talk” with the contract, asking questions and receiving clear, contextual answers.
5. Connect users to legal professionals if they choose, providing an added layer of expertise.

This approach enables users to make more informed decisions, streamlining the contract signing process and offering connections to legal experts when needed, rather than relying solely on routine agreements.

Features in Development

Since DocuInsight is still a work in progress, here are the core features we are focusing on:

1. Parsing and Analysis: Support for multiple file formats, with automated detection and breakdown of key sections.
2. Simplification: Translation of legal jargon into plain English using AI agent(s), accompanied by citations for verification.
3. Interactive Chat: A conversational interface for users to ask questions and clarify terms in real-time.
4. Cited Explanations: Internet-enabled searches to provide accurate, well-referenced answers and reduce ambiguity.
5. Clean & Usable Frontend: A well-designed, clean, and beautiful frontend that seamlessly integrates with DocuSign, providing a pleasant user experience.
6. Lawyer Connection Options: Enable users to connect with legal professionals when additional expertise is desired.

Future Vision

DocuInsight is more than just a hackathon project. It represents a step toward democratizing access to legal knowledge. By simplifying complex legal contracts, DocuInsight aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions and foster trust in agreements. Our goal is not to replace lawyers but to provide tools for better understanding and connectivity to legal experts if needed. The hackathon serves as a stepping stone and a proving ground for developing ideas and products for E&F.