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12 September 2025 / James Grice
Issue: 8130 / Categories: Features , Profession , Artificial intelligence
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How can law firms embed artificial intelligence & other new technologies? By adopting a ‘digital associate’ framework, argues James Grice
  • This article explains how law firms must adapt to the changing AI and tech landscape if they want to stay competitive.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming to the legal sector. Indeed, it has already arrived. The recent ‘Vals Legal AI report’ found that it could already perform a number of tasks with the same or greater accuracy and efficiency when compared with lawyers. Nor is AI the only innovative new technology playing an increasingly important role in the day-to-day operations of a law firm. In short, the legal sector is in the midst of a technological transformation, and adapting to this reality is a non-negotiable.

It is also easier said than done. Firms that are under the illusion that they can simply ‘plug in’ an AI tool and reap immediate productivity gains are likely to be in for a rude awakening. That is why the concept of a ‘digital associate’ framework is so useful. AI and other technologies are best understood

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