3 October 2023

New insights reveal the transformative impact of generative AI in legal professions.

The European Legal Technology Association (ELTA) has announced the release of the largest report ever conducted on the impact of generative AI on legal professions. Its comprehensive Generative AI Survey findings provide unique  insights into the current state and future trajectory of generative AI within the legal industry.

This survey conducted until July 2023 across 37 countries looks into the perception, usage, expectations and concerns of four different categories of legal professionals (law firms, in-house legal departments, alternative legal service providers, and academic and public sector). This survey also counts with the support of Lefebvre Sarrut and the European Company Lawyers Association with contributions from over 20 different international market experts.

 

“It is crucial to acknowledge artificial intelligence as a transformative force for the legal industry ” Grégoire Miot, President at ELTA commented. “Much like driving-assistance technologies did not replace expert drivers but enhanced the driving experience, generative AI does not replace legal professionals but augments their abilities. It serves as our navigation system through an increasingly complex legal landscape, offering insights, streamlining processes, and ultimately enriching the legal journey.”

Olivier Campenon, Lefebvre Sarrut’s CEO, said: “At Lefebvre Sarrut, we firmly believe that innovation is a crucial catalyst for enhancing access to law. We take great pride in supporting ELTA initiatives such as this enlightening survey spanning across Europe. Such initiatives allow us to gain a deeper understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations in the realm of generative AI applied to law. By doing so, we wholeheartedly commit ourselves to keeping our customers at the forefront of this remarkable innovative wave, ensuring they stay ahead!”

 

Key Findings Include:

High Maturity Among Legal Professionals – The familiarity and maturity levels of legal professionals with generative AI remain strong. Notably, perceptions and expectations vary among different legal professions.

Dominance of ChatGPT – Among generative AI tools, ChatGPT stands out as the most favored model, with 73% of respondents using it. Other specialized models follow at 13%.

Top Use Cases – Legal professionals primarily use generative AI out of curiosity (29%), for generating non-legal text (25%), and for summarizing documents (14%).

AI Experience Ratings – Generative AI tools score an average rating of 6.3 in user experience. Specifically, ChatGPT scores a 6.9, whereas derivative models rate a slightly higher 7.7.

Frequent Use – A remarkable 44% of respondents use generative AI at least weekly, including 24% who engage with it daily. Notably, daily users rate their AI experience higher, averaging a score of 7.5.

Impact Perception – The majority (77%) see generative AI as a significant aid to the legal profession, while 14% express concerns over potential job threats.

Desired vs. Perceived Impact – An overwhelming majority anticipate a significant impact of AI on document drafting and access to legal information. Interestingly, while many don’t currently see AI affecting case strategy and client advice, a growing number wish it would.

Timing of AI Impact – 62% of participants believe AI has already begun reshaping the legal profession. Another 23% foresee these shifts happening in the next 2-3 years.

Top Concerns – Privacy and data security rank as the top concern, followed by algorithmic bias, and then accountability and responsibility issues.

 

 

The report serves as a testament to the evolving relationship between technology and the legal industry, emphasizing that with proper utilization, generative AI can be a boon to the industry.

For the complete report and a deeper dive into the findings, please click here

 

About Lefebvre Sarrut:

Lefebvre Sarrut is the European leader in legal and tax knowledge. With offices in France (Lefebvre Dalloz), Germany (Juris/Stollfuß), Italy (Giuffrè Francis Lefebvre), the Netherlands (Sdu), Spain (Lefebvre), and Belgium, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom (Larcier-Intersentia), the group provides publishing, training and software solutions to a wide range of organisations in the private and public sectors (CHRO, CFO, CLOs, CCOS) and regulated professions (notaries, chartered accountants, lawyers, etc.). Lefebvre Sarrut generated revenues of €542 million in 2022 and employs 2,400 people. The group’s mission is to enable knowledge for a fairer, more efficient and sustainable society.

About ELTA:

The European Legal Tech Association (ELTA) is the leading European organization that advances the boundaries of legal technology in the legal industry. With over 300 corporate members, with an Ambassador network spanning 35 countries, rooted in expertise and driven by a community of professionals, ELTA serves as the focal point where technology and the legal profession converge.