Artificial Intelligence
Embracing Generative AI: A Legal Revolution in the Making
The transformative power of generative AI has been the most discussed topics across corporate boardrooms and C-suites globally. Companies, regardless of size or industry, or regardless of the departments within, have been rushing to adopt AI solutions, with 2024 reports showing mass adoption of generative AI. Recently, the European Commission even launched a generative AI tool for internal use to decrease the usage of third-party tools in administrative matters. Almost every company is wrapping their existing products and services with some sort of generative AI addition and almost every company is considering implementing to their processes.
This is not about a passing trend either; rather, generative AI has potentially ushered in a new era in technology that can fundamentally alter how industries operate. Legal departments are no exception to that.
A Paradigm Shift: The Role of Generative AI in Law
Legal professionals are often the gatekeepers of caution within their organizations, tasked with protecting sensitive data and assessing risk. The initial scepticism many feel toward generative AI is understandable. After all, the technology is relatively new, with potential pitfalls and challenges that cannot be ignored. However, history has shown that technology adoption, whether it was the introduction of email, cloud computing, or instant messaging, has always brought about efficiency gains and process improvements.
Generative AI is not an outlier; it is simply the latest phase of technological evolution. This “sixth industrial revolution,” much like previous technological shifts, will likely create more jobs and different types of roles rather than eliminating existing ones. The key question is not whether legal functions will continue to be essential—they will. The real challenge lies in whether lawyers and legal departments will adapt and evolve to harness this new technology effectively.
Addressing Fears and Misconceptions
Many legal professionals fear that generative AI could diminish their roles or replace human judgment with automated processes. However, this perspective overlooks the core function of generative AI: augmentation, not replacement. Generative AI can assist lawyers by taking over repetitive tasks—such as drafting preliminary documents, summarising legal research, or managing routine administrative duties—thus freeing up time for more strategic work.
One common misconception is that generative AI will render lawyers obsolete. This fear has persisted through every major technological change, yet lawyers remain indispensable. AI cannot replace the nuanced judgment, ethical reasoning, and strategic thinking that human legal professionals provide. Instead, the technology can be viewed as an “intelligent assistant” that enhances a lawyer’s ability to deliver quality work more efficiently. In fact, the real risk lies in being left behind by those who learn to use generative AI effectively.
Practical Applications of Generative AI in Legal Departments
Generative AI’s potential in legal work is immense. Today, many lawyers are already using AI for tasks such as generating responses to common email queries, drafting initial policy outlines, and reviewing documents. These uses are only the beginning. Legal departments can leverage generative AI to manage knowledge assets, produce initial drafts of complex documents, conduct real-time regulatory reviews, and even perform automated compliance checks.
Imagine a scenario where legal teams no longer spend hours on repetitive administrative work. Generative AI can assist with tasks like corporate submissions, visa applications, and document assembly, cutting down the time spent on these processes by as much as 90-95%. This efficiency enables lawyers to focus on higher-impact, mission-critical activities, enhancing their productivity while managing costs.
Knowledge management particularly stands to benefit significantly. For smaller in-house teams without a dedicated knowledge manager, generative AI can generate updates, briefings, and training materials, making it easier to stay up to date on new developments without dedicating extensive human resources to the task.
Governance and Compliance: Laying the Foundation for Responsible AI Use
Despite its advantages, generative AI presents unique risks, especially regarding confidentiality, data security, and ethical considerations. Legal teams are often the gatekeepers of corporate compliance, and it is crucial to establish robust governance frameworks before adopting generative AI at scale.
The type of generative AI used matters. For example, while large-scale public models such as ChatGPT offer robust capabilities, they may not be appropriate for handling confidential or proprietary information due to potential risks associated with data exposure. Enterprise-specific models, or private domain-specific AI systems, can offer a more secure solution for legal teams, allowing organizations to benefit from AI-driven efficiencies while maintaining tighter control over sensitive data.
Governance also extends to implementing strict compliance measures. By focusing on compliance at the initial stages of AI adoption, legal teams can mitigate many of the ethical and regulatory risks associated with AI. In regions like Asia, where compliance-centric AI adoption is gaining traction, this approach is viewed as a best practice. Ensuring that AI models are used responsibly within a compliant framework not only reduces risks but also establishes a strong foundation for future AI initiatives.
Preparing for the Future: Training the Next Generation of AI-Enabled Lawyers
As the legal profession integrates generative AI, there is a growing need to rethink how lawyers are trained. The tasks that once formed the foundation of a lawyer’s training—such as drafting basic documents or conducting preliminary research—may now be handled by AI, shifting the focus toward higher-level critical thinking and strategic skills. Future lawyers will need to learn how to evaluate, adapt, and implement AI-driven solutions, applying their judgment to refine AI-generated outputs.
This shift will also require current legal professionals to continuously update their skills, embracing new technologies and adapting to the evolving legal landscape. Those who can harness AI effectively will be better positioned to lead their teams, making the technology a valuable asset rather than a perceived threat.
Generative AI and the Cambrian Explosion of Technology
The impact of generative AI on legal work is profound and enduring. Much like the Cambrian explosion—a pivotal period in evolutionary history that led to the rapid diversification of life—generative AI represents a major evolutionary leap in technology. Its applications are becoming ubiquitous, integrated into every aspect of business operations, from email to complex data analytics.
The legal profession now faces a choice: to embrace generative AI and emerge as the next evolved form of legal expertise, or to resist change and risk becoming obsolete in the face of accelerating technological advancements. Those who proactively adopt AI will find themselves at the forefront of a more efficient, effective, and strategically valuable legal practice.
A Call to Embrace Generative AI
The path forward for the legal profession is clear. Generative AI offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and empower legal teams to focus on what truly matters. By embracing AI responsibly and positioning themselves as leaders in AI-driven innovation, legal professionals can shape the future of their field.
The choice is ours: to lead and evolve or to be left behind. As we step into this new era, let us seize the opportunity to redefine what it means to be a lawyer, ensuring that we not only survive the generative AI revolution but thrive within it.
The article is based on a keynote given by Mark Cockerill, Vice-President of ECLA, at the General Counsel Forum Europe 2024 conference in Berlin.
To learn more about the possibilities with generative AI, in particular for the legal field, ECLA is offering a comprehensive 3-hour workshop for corporate lawyers, with more information found here.