Bewildered by AI?

In my role as manager of legal technology and mentorship with the Law Society of Alberta, I routinely encounter lawyers who are both fascinated and bewildered by the impact that artificial intelligence will have on their practice. 

Some have resolved that 2026 is the year that they will finally dive — or dip a toe — into this realm. 

However, while they’ve seen others using AI, they’re somewhat wary of a sink-or-swim situation, and wonder about just how and where to begin. 

If you find yourself in this boat, here’s a round-up of ways lawyers are incorporating AI into their practice, as well as things to be cognizant of when using this technology.

Document review and contract analysis

One of the earliest and most widespread uses of AI in legal practice is document review. 

AI-powered platforms can rapidly analyze large volumes of contracts, pleadings, discovery materials, and other documents. These systems automatically extract key clauses, flag unusual or risky terms, and categorize information for further analysis. 

For instance, AI can identify indemnity provisions, non-compete clauses, or regulatory compliance requirements in contracts, helping lawyers assess risk and ensure obligations are met. 

This automation reduces the time and cost associated with manual review, allowing lawyers to focus on complex issues that require professional judgment.

Legal research and knowledge management

AI is also transforming legal research. Advanced search engines and research platforms use natural language processing to interpret queries and retrieve relevant case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources. Some systems can summarize judicial opinions, identify trends in court decisions, and even predict case outcomes based on historical data. 

AI-driven knowledge management tools enable law firms to organize and retrieve internal documents, precedents, and best practices, thereby improving efficiency and consistency in legal analysis.

Litigation support and e-discovery

In litigation, AI tools can sift through millions of emails, documents, and messages to find relevant evidence, create timelines, flag privileged or confidential information, and detect patterns that may be important for case strategy. 

Predictive coding, a form of machine learning, enables lawyers to train systems to recognize relevant documents, dramatically reducing the burden of manual review and improving accuracy.

Regulatory compliance and risk management

AI assists legal professionals in monitoring regulatory changes, assessing compliance risks, and managing ongoing obligations. Automated systems can track updates in laws and regulations, analyze the impact on business operations, and generate alerts for potential compliance issues. 

Client service and communication

While AI systems cannot replace the expertise of a lawyer, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are increasingly being used to improve client service. These tools can answer routine questions, schedule appointments, and provide updates on the status of cases. 

Some platforms also use AI to draft initial versions of legal documents, respond to client inquiries, and guide clients through online intake processes. 

Professional judgment and human expertise

Despite the many advantages of AI, legal professionals remain essential for interpreting complex or ambiguous issues, making strategic decisions, and providing nuanced advice. 

AI serves as a support tool, detecting potential problems and allowing practitioners to concentrate their expertise on substantive legal analysis. The partnership between technology and human judgment is critical for maintaining high standards of legal practice.

Ethical and professional considerations

The use of AI in legal practice raises important ethical and professional questions. Confidentiality, data security, and the potential for bias in AI algorithms are critical concerns. 

Professional conduct rules require lawyers to maintain competence in the technologies they use and to supervise non-lawyer assistants, including AI systems. 

Challenges and limitations

AI systems are not infallible. Automated tools may struggle with highly complex or novel legal issues that require deep contextual understanding. There is a risk of over-reliance on technology, which can lead to missed nuances or errors if lawyers do not carefully review AI-generated outputs. 

Law firms must invest in education and oversight to ensure that technology enhances, rather than undermines, the quality of their legal services.

Levelling the playing field

AI has the potential to make legal services more accessible and affordable. By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, it enables smaller firms and solo practitioners to offer services that were previously limited to large organizations. 

Online platforms and AI-powered tools can help individuals navigate legal processes, draft documents, and understand their rights, contributing to greater access to justice.

Future directions and opportunities

The integration of AI into legal practice is likely to accelerate in the coming years. As systems become more sophisticated, they will be able to handle increasingly complex tasks, such as predicting litigation risks, modelling transaction outcomes, and providing strategic insights. 

The legal profession will need to adapt by developing new skills, embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, and refining ethical frameworks to address emerging challenges. 

Ongoing dialogue between technologists, lawyers, regulators, and clients will be essential for shaping the future of AI in law.

Conclusion

AI is not a replacement for legal expertise, but a powerful tool that, when used appropriately, can reshape the delivery of legal services. 

The future of legal practice will be shaped by the ongoing partnership between technology and human judgment, ensuring that lawyers continue to deliver high-quality, reliable, and ethical services in a rapidly evolving world.