WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - OpenAI on Thursday released a legal industry-focused version of its latest AI technology, GPT-6 Astra, that it said is designed to help law firms and legal software providers conduct ‌research, draft advice and build custom applications for lawyers.

The launch of Astra for Law marks the latest push by the top AI labs into the legal market, where technology companies are racing to capture business from law firms and legal departments.

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Google last month expanded its Gemini ⁠Enterprise offerings for legal professionals, and Anthropic since January has released tools for lawyers using its Claude AI assistant.

OpenAI said its new product combines its Astra model with an index of US case law, statutes, regulations and other legal materials, along with specialized instructions for legal analysis and writing.

The company said legal AI vendors including Harvey and Legora will be able to build products on Astra for Law, and the platform will include ‌integrations ⁠with software providers such as Relativity, Clio, Intapp and Thomson Reuters.

OpenAI said “selected” law firms will gain access to ⁠its product initially through a special program that includes protections for confidential client work.

The company said it has worked with firms including Sullivan & ⁠Cromwell, Ropes & Gray, Cooley, Latham & Watkins and Wachtell Lipton on testing and developing legal AI applications.