Executing a Smooth Transition to AI for Your Legal Team

For most corporate legal teams, integrating artificial intelligence-powered technology has shifted from an “if” to “when” scenario. Yet successful implementation requires more than just flipping a switch. A recent LawVu article outlines essential steps to execute a smooth transition to AI technologies.

1. Engage an Expert
   Engaging technology specialists familiar with legal workflows who can mitigate risks and enhance effectiveness. Consult either existing software vendors or legal tech specialists who understand generative AI in a legal context and can offer tailored advice.
2. Assess Existing Tech Capabilities
   Conduct a thorough audit of existing systems like contract lifecycle management (CLM) or document management systems (DMS) to identify gaps and ensure that new AI tools are incorporated within a comprehensive legal tech solution or can be integrated into your tech stack.
3. Create a Centralized Source of Truth
   AI’s strength often lies in quickly accessing existing information. To maximize AI’s potential, centralize your dataset, ensuring all relevant legal documents and data are stored in a unified repository.
4. Identify Your Needs
   This step requires a detailed analysis of your current practices. Determine specific use cases where AI can have the most impact based on your team’s workflows. Focus on routine tasks and consider how AI can augment these processes.
5. Identify Suitable Vendors
   Approach vendors whose solutions align with your needs. Discuss your specific goals and workflows, ensuring that the proposed AI tools address the use cases you identified. Prioritize practical, scalable solutions.
6. Conduct a Security Review
   Before implementing any AI software, conduct a thorough data security review. Understand how your data will be used and ensure it aligns with your security policies. Verify the vendor’s security accreditations and assess how they handle data for training models, ensuring their solutions prioritize your data’s confidentiality and integrity.

By following these steps, corporate legal teams can effectively integrate AI into their operations, enhancing productivity and maintaining robust governance and security.