A lot of noise, not much clarity
I'd put money on this: most people using the phrase "legal tech" in a sentence right now couldn't tell you precisely what they mean by it. It's become a catch-all for anything from a document automation tool a firm bought in 2019, to a large language model that can draft a first-pass NDA in ten seconds.
Those two things are not the same, and conflating them is where most of the confusion, and most of the anxiety, comes from.
"AI is changing law" is true and says nothing. The useful question is what, specifically, it's changing for you.
What has actually changed
- Document drafting and review is faster. First-pass drafts, contract summaries, and initial red flag reviews can now be produced in minutes rather than hours.
- Research has a new front door. AI tools can surface relevant case law and commentary quickly, though the checking still has to be done by a person who understands what they're reading.
- The economics of routine work are shifting. Tasks that used to justify a junior associate's time at an hourly rate can now be done faster, which changes what firms can reasonably charge for them.
What hasn't changed
- Judgement. Knowing which risk actually matters to your business still comes from experience, not a tool.
- Accountability. Someone qualified still has to stand behind the advice, whatever produced the first draft.
- The value of a lawyer who actually knows your business, rather than one reading your matter for the first time.
AI plus a good human is not a compromise position. It's the combination that actually works, faster than the human alone, more reliable than the tool alone.
The future isn't AI instead of a lawyer. It's a lawyer who uses AI well, against one who doesn't.
What this means if you're the one hiring the lawyer
Ask whoever you instruct, firm or consultancy, how they actually use these tools day to day. A vague answer, or a defensive one, tells you something. A specific one, what it's used for, what's still checked by a person and how, tells you a lot more.
Frequently asked questions
What does "legal tech" actually mean?
It's become a catch-all for anything from a document automation tool bought years ago to a large language model that drafts a first-pass NDA in ten seconds, and those two things aren't the same. Conflating them is where most of the confusion, and most of the anxiety, comes from.
What has actually changed in legal practice because of AI?
Document drafting and review is faster, research has a new front door for surfacing relevant material quickly, and the economics of routine work are shifting because tasks that used to justify a junior associate's time can now be done faster. What hasn't changed is judgement, accountability, and the value of a lawyer who actually knows your business.
Will AI replace lawyers?
No - AI plus a good human isn't a compromise, it's the combination that actually works, faster than the human alone and more reliable than the tool alone. The future isn't AI instead of a lawyer, it's a lawyer who uses AI well against one who doesn't.
What should I ask a law firm about how they use AI?
Ask how they actually use these tools day to day. A vague or defensive answer tells you something, while a specific one - what it's used for and what's still checked by a person - tells you a lot more.
Curious how AI actually fits into legal work?
Silva's AI arm helps law firms and legal teams work out, practically, what to adopt, what to ignore, and how to do it properly.