Thomson Reuters has published its 2024 Future of Professionals Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of how AI is reshaping the legal profession. This global study surveyed 2,200 senior professionals across 50 countries, spanning legal, tax, accountancy, and other professional services.
The findings reveal a growing, yet cautious, acceptance of AI within the legal sector. While professionals in law remain less confident about AI’s transformative impact compared to those in other industries, attitudes are shifting. Nearly 72% of legal professionals surveyed now see AI as a force for good, recognizing its potential to enhance efficiency, streamline legal work, and improve access to justice.
Key Barriers & Moderating Factors
Despite this optimism, several barriers continue to moderate AI adoption in the legal sector. The study highlights two primary concerns influencing the pace of integration:
- Data Security & Accuracy – Legal professionals remain highly cautious about the risks of using AI, particularly regarding confidentiality, regulatory compliance, and the reliability of AI-generated legal analysis. Firms are wary of AI systems that lack transparency in data sourcing and may introduce factual inaccuracies or legal misinterpretations.
- Availability & Reliability of AI Technology – The extent to which AI tools can be seamlessly integrated into legal workflows depends on their accuracy, trustworthiness, and ability to align with legal standards. Lawyers demand AI systems that draw from authoritative sources and provide results that are legally sound and verifiable.
Regulation: A Key Driver of AI Adoption
A significant 60% of legal professionals surveyed believe that AI regulation will be essential in driving adoption. Rather than viewing regulation as a hindrance, the legal industry sees clear legal frameworks as a necessary step toward ensuring AI is used responsibly and effectively.
Regulation could provide much-needed clarity on issues such as:
- Liability for AI-generated legal advice
- Compliance with professional ethical standards
- Transparency in AI decision-making
- Rules governing client confidentiality and data protection
There is a growing consensus that industry-wide AI standards and government-backed legal frameworks will help law firms mitigate risks while leveraging AI’s benefits.
The Future of AI in Law: Opportunities & Challenges
The report underscores the balancing act legal professionals face—between embracing AI to drive efficiency and ensuring human oversight remains central to legal decision-making. While AI is already automating tasks such as legal research, contract drafting, and document review, its use in more complex legal advisory roles remains highly debated.
With the right regulatory safeguards, ethical guidelines, and professional training, AI has the potential to enhance legal service delivery while preserving the fundamental role of human expertise in the profession.