Generative AI is increasingly being employed by in-house legal teams to improve efficiency and allow professionals to focus on more complex tasks. According to a Bloomberg Law survey, approximately 41% of respondents have reported that generative AI enables them to allocate more time to higher-level responsibilities. This shift comes as nearly four in ten respondents acknowledge that AI has contributed to the increased volume of work accomplished within corporate legal departments, especially related to routine tasks often viewed as burdensome.
The survey findings suggest that generative AI is having a noticeable effect on in-house legal operations. This technology is particularly beneficial in streamlining lower-level tasks, a development long anticipated by AI analysts. Such tasks include document review, drafting standard agreements, and even initial legal research, which previously demanded significant manual effort and time.
Moreover, the adoption of AI in legal settings reflects broader trends across industries, where organizations are using technology to automate mundane processes. This allows legal team members to concentrate on strategic decision-making and complex legal challenges that require human judgment and expertise.
While the benefits are evident, the transition to AI-augmented workflows is gradual, and major changes are still evolving. The survey underscores the potential and the challenges legal teams face as they integrate AI into their daily operations. As this technology matures, its applications and utility are likely to expand, presenting further opportunities for legal departments to enhance productivity and service delivery.