A recent survey conducted by LexisNexis UK sheds light on the perceptions and expectations of legal professionals regarding the adoption of generative AI in the legal industry. The survey, encompassing responses from 1,175 UK legal professionals between May and June 2023, reveals a nuanced landscape of awareness, acceptance, and concerns.
The findings indicate that 87% of legal professionals surveyed are aware of generative AI tools, and among them, a staggering 95% believe these tools will impact the practice of law. The degree of impact varies, with 38% viewing it as significant, 11% describing it as transformative, and 46% recognizing it as having some impact. These figures underscore the growing recognition of generative AI’s potential in reshaping legal work.
One noteworthy insight from the survey is that 49% of in-house counsel anticipate their law firms adopting generative AI within the next year, with 11% indicating that their firms are already utilizing the technology. The enthusiasm for AI adoption among in-house counsel is evident, as only 8% expressed reluctance towards its use. However, a contrasting perspective emerges from the law firms themselves, with 24% believing that their clients would prefer not to have AI employed in their legal matters.
While current usage of generative AI remains relatively modest, with only 36% of respondents indicating personal or professional experience with the technology, future adoption rates are expected to rise. Approximately 39% of respondents state that they are actively exploring opportunities for implementing generative AI, a figure that climbs to 64% when considering large law firms exclusively and 47% for in-house lawyers.
The survey highlights the potential benefits of generative AI in improving efficiency within the legal profession. A significant majority of 65% of respondents anticipate that this technology will enhance their productivity. When asked about specific applications, respondents identified researching matters (66%), briefing documents (59%), and document analysis (47%) as areas with high potential for leveraging generative AI.
Despite the overall recognition of generative AI’s potential, the survey also reveals a degree of uncertainty among legal professionals. Two-thirds (67%) of participants expressed mixed feelings about the impact of generative AI on the practice of law, acknowledging both the positives and drawbacks associated with its adoption.
In light of these findings, legal professionals are calling for caution and due diligence when utilizing generative AI tools. Alison Rees-Blanchard, Head of TMT Legal Guidance at LexisNexis, emphasizes the importance of thorough verification, as open-source generative AI tools may produce inaccurate or fabricated outputs when lacking access to relevant data. Rees-Blanchard suggests that employing closed-source models trained not to deviate can yield significantly more accurate results.
Addressing the need for policy implementation, Toby Bond, an intellectual property partner at Bird & Bird, warns of potential legal and operational issues that may arise when generative AI tools are used without proper assessment. Bond emphasizes the importance of proactively addressing such risks to ensure responsible and effective utilization of these technologies.
The LexisNexis report provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of generative AI adoption within the legal profession. It serves as a resource for legal professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with integrating generative AI into legal practice.
For access to the full report and detailed findings, please visit: Link to LexisNexis Report
