What's Happening?
Legal departments worldwide are facing challenges in effectively adopting artificial intelligence (AI) despite having access to these tools. According to Factor's GenAI in Legal Benchmarking Report, while 61% of legal departments provide AI access to most or all team members, fewer than 19% feel confident using these tools. The report highlights that many legal teams mistakenly equate access with readiness, leading to stalled pilots and lagging adoption. The issue is not merely about installing software but building capability and fluency in using AI. Legal teams often design programs for early adopters, neglecting the broader group that requires upskilling. Additionally, generative AI is treated like traditional legal tech, which leads to unrealistic expectations. Successful adoption requires a shift in mindset, understanding AI's capabilities, and integrating it into daily workflows.
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Why It's Important?
The struggle to effectively integrate AI into legal departments has significant implications for the legal industry. As AI tools become more prevalent, the ability to use them effectively can differentiate successful legal teams from others. The lack of confidence and fluency in AI usage can hinder the efficiency and innovation within legal departments, affecting their ability to deliver value. Moreover, the failure to adopt AI tools can result in missed opportunities for improving legal processes, such as summarizing agreements and risk pattern identification. Legal teams that overcome these barriers and build fluency in AI usage stand to gain a competitive advantage, enhancing their operational capabilities and client service.
What's Next?
To address these challenges, legal departments need to focus on building an AI mindset and fluency among their teams. This involves understanding AI's role in legal workflows, learning to interact with AI tools effectively, and integrating AI into routine tasks. Training programs should be designed to meet team members where they are, building confidence and supporting real fluency. Additionally, legal teams should prioritize real integration of AI into daily work, moving beyond passive usage to actively engage with AI tools. By adopting a builder mindset, legal professionals can approach AI adoption creatively and critically, ensuring long-term success and continuous improvement.
