In a keynote address that diverged from typical corporate celebrations of past achievements, Relativity CEO Phil Saunders emphasized at Relativity Fest 2025 in Chicago the necessity for bold transformation in legal technology. Addressing an audience of 1,834 attendees, Saunders declared that what Relativity has constructed over 24 years “is not enough,” urging both the company and the broader legal sector to embrace change proactively to avoid obsolescence. Read more.
Saunders’ message received amplification through the announcement of major strategic shifts, such as the integration of Generative AI into the company’s core RelativityOne subscription. This includes aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege, aiming to democratize AI accessibility across the platform. Since its introduction 20 months ago, aiR solutions have been adopted by over 200 customers to process over 25 million documents. Chief Product Officer Chris Brown highlighted the growth trajectory, noting that adoption is escalating week by week.
- Integrating Generative AI into Core Platform
Saunders announced that previously optional paid capabilities, aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege, will join the core RelativityOne subscription at no extra cost. This move is intended to “democratize AI and aiR, making it accessible to everyone on the platform.” Since its launch, the aiR suite has supported customers in reviewing millions of documents, offering transformative productivity boosts and substantial cost savings.
Further extending the generative AI capabilities, aiR Assist is slated for release in early 2026. This feature will reduce discovery timelines from weeks to minutes by employing natural language search.Learn more.
- Launching Rel Labs Investment Arm
Rel Labs marks Relativity’s venture into deeper collaboration and investment within the legal tech ecosystem. Partnering with the Legal Tech Fund, this investment arm will focus on identifying and developing cutting-edge technologies, acknowledging that even significant internal advancements may not suffice amidst rapid industry innovation.
Saunders concluded his keynote by referencing John Doerr’s distinction between mercenaries and missionaries, identifying Relativity as the latter, committed to a long-term vision and a community-focused approach. This perspective seeks to navigate the continuous wave of technological advancement sweeping the legal industry. The company also celebrated its Justice for Change program’s five-year milestone, reflecting a commitment to using AI and technology for social good, boasting involvement in over 250 matters worldwide.
The CEO’s call to action underscores a pivotal moment for legal technologists and firms to rethink their strategies and embrace a culture of constant adaptation and innovation. Read full article.