Extra, extra! AI is here!
Just kidding. We know you’ve heard all about it by now. Generative AI, agentic AI, supervised and unsupervised AI—the buzz has buzzed long enough. Now, it’s time to do something about it.
According to our AI Visionaries, an essential component to the success of any AI implementation—especially in the legal industry—is balancing your use of forward-thinking technology with the same high expectations and spirit of collaboration that have always made your team more successful.
“Generative AI is an incredibly powerful tool, and if leveraged correctly, it has the potential to reshape the legal industry for the better,” AI Visionary Kacey Hall, counsel and head of e-discovery at Verizon, told us. “The key is to embrace innovation while maintaining the rigorous standards that legal work demands.
Go Fast but Look Closely
“By understanding data, tools, and legal requirements, and adding some creativity, complex problems can be solved in new ways,” Tara Emory, special counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, said, when asked about what drew her to a career in e-discovery.
We couldn’t agree more that the most interesting moments in Legal Data Intelligence work—juicy email discoveries notwithstanding—involve wrapping your arms around new, fascinating tools with which you can tackle new, fascinating data challenges.
Getting on board with artificial intelligence should feel urgent by now, yes. There is real momentum across the industry, and teams like yours are already on this journey—so keeping pace is essential.
But that doesn’t mean you need to dive head-first into choppy waters.
Instead, AI Visionaries encourage others to pause and take intentional steps to evaluate options and make informed decisions about which tools—and teams—to use and when.
“For professionals integrating AI into their workflows, a critical step is learning the right questions to ask vendors. Not all AI products are created equal, and it’s essential to evaluate factors such as accuracy, transparency, data security, and quality control,” Kacey said. “Knowing what to look for ensures that AI is implemented in a way that enhances efficiency without compromising reliability or ethics.
Tara agreed.
“Legal teams vetting software and service providers should ask questions to assess both risk and value. Lawyers often focus on risk, so they know to ask questions relating to quality, security, and transparency. Assessing value can be more complex, however, and there are many considerations,” she noted. “One key factor is how the tool’s results compare to a benchmark, which should be based on outcomes using current tools. Another relates to finding out the costs of introducing, integrating and using the tool; even impressive technologies will not deliver value if they won’t fit into a team’s workflows.
Asking those new types of questions may feel unfamiliar, so Tara added that “teams unsure of how to vet software may benefit from bringing in experienced advisors to assist them.
Being well equipped with these insights will help you as you advocate for your use of AI among your colleagues, adversaries, clients, and other stakeholders.
“Courts, opposing counsel, and clients require a clear understanding of how AI tools reach their conclusions, which means black-box AI models that lack explainability can be a challenge,” Kacey said. “Ensuring that AI-driven document review meets legal standards for accuracy, privilege identification, and responsiveness is critical, and any misstep can have serious consequences.
Governance Considerations for AI
Speaking of consequences: it goes without saying that your level of accountability with AI is the same as with any other tool you use every day. You may not need to know how it’s coded, but you do need to make an intentional effort to check on its compliance with security, privacy, and ethical requirements. So once you’ve found a tool that feels attractive for your team and the purpose you have in mind, getting your compliance ducks in a row should be a non-negotiable next step.
Luckily, this won’t look too different from the checkpoints you use for other types of technology investments.
“While technology changes quickly, the core principles of good lawyering and data management remain the same,” Tara emphasized. “AI introduces its own twists on that, but we can build on existing data compliance considerations and processes that are already central to traditional information governance and privacy programs.
She also noted that vetting AI usage through the framework of existing information governance policies is a great way to gather buy-in and ensure best practices are top-of-mind as you bring a new tool on board.
“AI governance builds on the principles of existing information governance policies, as it involves understanding data flows, managing risk, and building for regulatory compliance,” Tara continued. “Integrating AI considerations into information governance programs helps clients feel more confident about their organization’s AI adoption.
Lean on Your Team
Along this path toward putting AI into practice, “always remember that asking questions is a strength, not a weakness,” Kacey advised.
Having a bench of trusted advisors to rely on can make an immense difference in helping you feel more confident and effective as you start putting AI into practice.
“One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can offer to anyone pursuing a career in e-discovery is to seek out and build strong relationships with mentors. The legal field can be complex and nuanced, and having someone experienced to guide you—whether through formal mentorship or informal advice—can make all the difference in your growth,” Kacey told us.
She continued: “Another key piece of advice is to ask questions—lots of them. Whether you’re new to a practice area or facing a challenging case, never hesitate to seek clarification or advice. The more you understand, the more effective and confident you will be.
Graphics for this article were created by Sarah Vachlon.
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