Docusign for Developers with Dan Selman and Larry Jin
Feb 18, 2025
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In this insightful discussion, Dan Selman, Product Architect at DocuSign, and Larry Jin, VP of Product Management, explore the evolving landscape of digital agreements. They highlight the complexities involved in scaling agreement management and introduce DocuSign's new developer API aimed at streamlining this process. The conversation dives into the role of AI and automation in transforming contract management, the challenges of data anonymization in sensitive industries, and the crucial part developers play in enhancing eSignature solutions for agile contract workflows.
Digital advancements have streamlined the signing of agreements, but outdated management practices still cost organizations an estimated $2 trillion annually.
The integration of AI and machine learning technologies in agreement processes presents transformative opportunities for automation, efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Deep dives
The Role and Evolution of Agreements
Agreements and contracts are essential in our daily transactions and major financial decisions, serving as a framework for clarity and accountability. Digital advancements have made it easier to sign agreements, transitioning from cumbersome paper processes to more streamlined digital formats. However, many aspects of agreement management still remain outdated and fragmented, hindering efficiency across various industries. This illustrates the significant opportunities for innovation in the ecosystems of agreements and contracts, which continuously affect everyday life, from personal rentals to professional transactions.
The Challenges of Agreement Management
The management of agreements often leads to substantial inefficiencies, with an estimated $2 trillion lost annually due to poor contract management practices. Key issues include the hidden risks embedded in agreements and the potential loss of entitlements, such as discounts due to oversight. Furthermore, complications arise with manually handling contract renewals, leading to situations where organizations may unintentionally incur additional costs from auto-renewed contracts. A more systematic approach to managing contracts can help mitigate these risk factors and enhance organizational effectiveness.
The Role of AI in Transforming Agreement Processes
Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies present transformative potential for automating various stages of the agreement process, from creation to execution and management. By employing AI-driven data extraction methods, organizations can glean valuable insights from unstructured documents, making agreements easier to navigate and more manageable. Implementing these technologies can enable businesses to proactively address contractual obligations and adapt to regulatory changes more swiftly. This evolution facilitates a more systematic response to agreements within organizations, bridging the gap between static contracts and dynamic business processes.
The Future of Intelligent Agreement Management
The development of Intelligent Agreement Management is set to enhance not only the efficiency of signing and managing contracts but also to empower organizations with advanced automation capabilities. As businesses expand their use of APIs and integrate AI technologies, they will likely see greater responsiveness and adaptability in managing agreements globally. This evolution will support the ongoing trends towards personalized experiences in contract management while addressing industry-specific needs and regulatory requirements. Organizations that harness these advancements can significantly improve their operational efficiency and reclaim value lost to outdated practices.
Agreements and contracts are a fundamental innovation and govern everything from personal commitments to major financial decisions. They function as trusted artifacts to capture the nature of a commitment and provide clarity and accountability. Software has revolutionized many business functions, including the basic mechanics of digitally signing an agreement. However, the process of managing agreements systematically and at scale with type definitions, programmatic document creation, and storage schemas remains a complex and largely unsolved challenge.
Dan Selman is the product architect at Docusign and was previously co-founder and CTO of the Smart Agreements Platform, Clause. Larry Jin is the VP of Product Management at Docusign and previously worked at Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Docusign recently released a developer API focused on fully modernizing and scaling the agreements process. In this episode, Dan and Larry joined Sean Falconer to talk about the frontier of digital agreements.
Full Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by Docusign.
Sean’s been an academic, startup founder, and Googler. He has published works covering a wide range of topics from AI to quantum computing. Currently, Sean is an AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent where he works on AI strategy and thought leadership. You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn.