AI is just starting to change the legal profession (www.understandingai.org)

AI is beginning to make its mark on the legal profession, with varied adoption rates reported. While a Thomson Reuters report indicated that only 28% of law firms are actively using AI, Clio’s Legal Trends 2025 found that 79% of legal professionals incorporate AI in some capacity. Conversations with ten lawyers from prestigious law firms reveal a cautious approach to AI: while many recognize its potential to improve efficiency, they also express concerns about verification processes due to the high stakes involved in legal work. Tasks such as email drafting and document analysis are seen as prime candidates for AI involvement, yet lawyers often hesitate to rely on AI for critical facets where errors could lead to significant financial repercussions. The implication for the AI/ML community is clear: as AI technology continues to improve, especially in verification and workflow efficiency, its adoption in law could accelerate. Tools like Harvey and DeepJudge provide tailored AI functionalities that streamline tasks such as legal research and document revision, but they still face competitive pressure from general-purpose models. Lawyers emphasize the need for AI tools that simplify the verification of outputs to facilitate greater trust and usage in routine tasks. As understanding of AI capabilities expands within the legal field, there exists immense potential for innovation that could reshape how law is practiced, making it a crucial area for ongoing AI development.