From typewriters to transformers: Navigating the new era of legal AI

The legal profession is no stranger to technological evolution. Many practitioners still recall the days of typewriters and carbon paper, which eventually gave way to the internet, and cloud storage.

However, we are now witnessing a monumental leap: the rise of legal workflow automation. Unlike the slow-burn adoption of the internet, Generative AI is moving at a record-breaking pace. This shift is redefining digital efficiency, requiring legal professionals to transform their workflows to remain competitive in a tech-first world.

Demystifying AI in the law firm

At its core, AI is technology designed to recognise patterns, learn from examples, and make predictions. While we use it daily in smartphone text predictions or spam filters, its application in legal service delivery is more targeted.

AI helps reduce repetitive, manual tasks, such as:

• Legal document review and summarisation.
• Identifying key clauses for contract lifecycle management.
• Organising complex information within your Document Management System (DMS).

By automating these processes, legal professionals can focus on high-value legal strategy and client care. AI is not here to replace the lawyer; it is designed to extend your professional expertise.

Security, ethics, and the "human in the loop"

The adoption of Legal AI brings valid concerns regarding data sovereignty, accuracy, and algorithmic bias. Legal professionals must remain vigilant in three key areas:

1. Data security and privacy

Practitioners must understand where client information is stored. Specialised systems like CORTO use closed-loop AI architecture to ensure client data remains secure and is never used to train external Large Language Models (LLMs).

2. Mitigating bias and ensuring accuracy

AI can reflect historical data bias or hallucinations. You remain responsible for the final work product. Maintaining a "human in the loop" by applying professional judgement to every result ensures the technology supports rather than replaces your role.

3. Client expectations and billing

Clients increasingly expect lawyers to utilise technology that saves time and improves value. This shift is driving many firms to move away from the billable hour toward alternative fee arrangements and value-based pricing.

Practical implementation: Garbage in, garbage out

Success with AI depends heavily on the quality of instructions provided. Effective "legal prompting" is essentially a form of digital delegation. Use this simple framework to improve your results:

• Context: Explain the specific matter or legal situation.
• Clarity: Be specific about the legal task you want performed.
• Constraints: Set boundaries for tone, length, or jurisdictional format.

Note: There is a distinct difference between general tools like ChatGPT, which utilise public internet data, and specialised Legal AI designed for confidentiality, compliance, and evidentiary accuracy.

The path forward: Future-proofing your practice

Embracing Agentic AI is no longer a matter of "if," but "how." Future-proofing a practice requires a holistic approach:

• Establishing clear internal AI governance policies.
• Updating client cost agreements for transparency.
• Staying informed on new court practice notes regarding AI use in litigation.

By thoughtfully adopting AI technology, legal professionals can enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline operations, and reclaim the time necessary to provide exceptional, human-centric service.