What Is AI’s Role Within Modern Tech Stack?

Marija Barbarich of LawVu writes that legal tech stacks, including tools with artificial intelligence, offer a framework for scaling operations. AI’s role within the modern tech stack is that of a powerful enabler of efficiency and strategy. When AI is integrated with other tools, it enhances their capabilities, making them smarter and faster.

A legal tech stack is the collection of digital tools that legal teams use to manage their work, much like finance relies on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or marketing relies on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. A well-designed tech stack brings structure, interoperability, and data-driven insights. The right tools help legal teams scale while reducing delays and inefficiencies.

A modern tech stack for legal typically includes Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), matter management, spend management, e-billing, document management, and legal intake. Increasingly, many organizations are consolidating these digital tools into unified legal workspaces.

AI’s role within the modern tech stack includes supporting contract review by flagging risks and extracting key data, enhancing matter management through classification and prediction, and strengthening intake processes with automated triage. These capabilities promise efficiency gains, risk reduction, and stronger decision support. 

Integration remains a critical success factor. When tools operate in silos, legal teams waste time switching between platforms, resulting in duplicated effort and inefficiency. By contrast, an integrated stack supports seamless workflows from intake to contract execution, with real-time dashboards and reporting that improve transparency and adoption.

To build an effective stack, legal ops professionals should start with a clear assessment of pain points, business needs, and current tools. Avoiding common pitfalls such as over-investing too early or neglecting change management is essential. With a deliberate approach, legal operations can craft a scalable, connected tech ecosystem that evolves in tandem with the business.