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26 September 2025 / Clare Arthurs
Issue: 8132 / Categories: Features , Artificial intelligence , Profession , Technology , Legal services
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Do the AIs have it?

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A golden opportunity or more trouble than it’s worth? Clare Arthurs reckons with the rise of artificial intelligence

There is no escaping the rise of the machine—in particular, the rise of machine learning. Its impact and use is being discussed and developed by lawyers, their clients and even the judiciary. Artificial intelligence (AI) is clearly here to stay—but does it represent an opportunity or a challenge?

AI champions

The litigation landscape is varied in this respect. Senior members of the judiciary have consistently championed the integration of AI into our court system. In a speech in February 2025, the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, repeated his commitment to the Digital Justice System, which he hopes will allow ‘millions of disputes to be resolved online, using AI where appropriate, without the need for those disputes to enter the more expensive and time-consuming court process’.

Lord Justice Birss, the newly appointed Chancellor of the High Court (and chair of the working group on the use of AI in court documents) has expressed similar enthusiasm, describing ChatGPT as ‘jolly

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Partner hire strengthens global infrastructure and energy financing practice

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Legal director bolsters international expertise in dispute resolution team

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

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