The legal profession, long known for its traditional practices, is undergoing a seismic shift as generative AI technology takes centre stage. A recent ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû survey has revealed a remarkable surge in AI adoption across the UK legal sector, with four out of five lawyers (82%) currently using or planning to use this transformative technology. This blog delves into the key findings of the report, offering insights from industry leaders and exploring the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for successful AI implementation.
The staggering numbers
The survey findings paint a compelling picture of the rapid AI adoption within the legal sector. The number of lawyers using generative AI for work purposes has nearly quadrupled in just over a year, jumping from 11% in July 2023 to an impressive 41% in September 2024. Additionally, the percentage of lawyers planning to use AI has also increased significantly, from 28% to 41% during the same period.
A paradigm shift
The stark decrease in the number of lawyers with no plans to adopt AI, dropping from 61% to a mere 15%, underscores the profound shift taking place within the industry. Jonathan Kewley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Global Tech Group at Clifford Chance, aptly describes the level of adoption as "extraordinary," with innovation and investment reaching unprecedented levels.
Embracing the future
While AI is undoubtedly a valuable tool in the medium term, industry leaders like Kewley believe its use will only accelerate in the longer term. As Laura Hodgson, Generative AI Lead at Linklaters, points out, the legal profession has remained largely unaffected by new technology for several decades and was overdue for a shake-up.
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Immediate benefits
According to Bhavisa Patel, Director of Legal Technology at Eversheds Sutherland, the short to medium-term gains of generative AI will focus on streamlining routine, administrative tasks. Activities such as legal research, document review, and contract analysis will become simpler and quicker, allowing lawyers to concentrate on complex and strategic work.
Vast possibilities ahead
In the medium to long term, Patel acknowledges that the possibilities are vast, but the legal sector has yet to clearly identify the specific problems generative AI will solve. As the industry continues to explore and innovate, the future of generative AI remains an exciting and evolving landscape.
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Leading by example
Encouraging AI adoption requires a top-down approach, as emphasised by Joe Cohen, the Director of Innovation at Charles Russell Speechlys. Senior leadership plays a crucial role in promoting AI usage, with Cohen highlighting that nearly half of their 1,200+ staff are using AI monthly, thanks to firmwide training, regular communications, and a comprehensive engagement plan.
Redefining training and fostering confidence
Pawel Lipski, a partner at Bird & Bird, recognises the need to redefine how junior lawyers are trained as generative AI tools become more advanced in research and drafting. Jodie Hill, the Managing Partner of Thrive Law, underscores the importance of involving employees at an early stage to create engagement and understanding.
Internal transformations
The survey revealed that 60% of the legal industry has made at least one internal change to implement generative AI, reflecting the growth of this rapidly evolving technology. The most common changes include offering AI-powered products to staff, developing policies on AI use, and providing AI-related training for employees.
Large firms leading the way
As expected, large law firms are at the forefront of driving AI adoption, with 78% having made changes to implement generative AI. Greg Baker, Global Head of Practice Innovation at Linklaters, highlights their role as early adopters and their regular roadmap discussions with key vendors.
In-house legal teams and the Bar
The survey also revealed a stark rise in AI activity within corporate in-house legal teams, jumping from 47% earlier this year to 74%. The bar has also seen a significant increase, rising from 8% to 32% throughout the year.
Navigating the AI landscape
Baker emphasises the need for in-house legal teams to receive guidance on navigating the explosion of generative AI solutions, helping them identify solutions that deliver real value. Firms like Freshfields have established cross-functional teams to match their AI needs with the legal capabilities of new AI developments, as described by Gerrit Beckhaus, Partner and Co-head of the Freshfields Lab.
Collaborative approach and knowledge sharing
Many firms have adopted a collaborative approach to AI adoption, encouraging employees to share noteworthy use cases and hosting training sessions, workshops, and open forums. This collective effort aims to foster innovation and maximise the potential of generative AI within the legal practice.
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Keeping pace with technology
As the legal sector embraces generative AI, one of the top challenges identified by 41% of lawyers is keeping pace with new technology, second only to legal talent. This highlights the need for continuous learning, resource allocation, and training to stay ahead of the curve.
Responsible AI adoption
While the benefits of generative AI are evident, responsible adoption is crucial. May Winfield, Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks at Buro Happold, emphasises the importance of a sensible, risk-managed approach, relying on internal AI specialists to drive the change and implementing comprehensive governance plans.
Managing client expectations
Bhavisa Patel from Eversheds Sutherland underscores the importance of managing client expectations, emphasising that generative AI is not a magic bullet and should be used to improve existing workflows and deliverables.
The legal sector's embrace of generative AI is a testament to the transformative power of this technology. As the industry navigates this new frontier, it is crucial to strike a balance between innovation and responsible adoption. By fostering collaboration, continuous learning, and effective governance, the legal profession can harness the full potential of AI, streamline processes, and deliver exceptional value to clients. The future of the legal sector is undoubtedly intertwined with the evolution of generative AI, and those who embrace this change will undoubtedly gain a competitive edge.
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