Research is most common generative AI use case among lawyers

Dive Brief:

Of the lawyers across several major countries who have used generative AI tools for legal work, research has been the most common use case to date, according to a survey from LexisNexis Legal & Professional.
Nearly 60% of U.S. lawyers with generative AI experience have used the latest AI for legal research and nearly 70% of lawyers in France have done the same, the International Legal Generative AI Report found.
Overall, 43% of attorneys across France, the U.S., the U.K. and Canada either use or plan to use generative AI in their legal work. The survey conducted between March and July featured 3,752 lawyers, 1,239 law students and 2,959 consumers.

Dive Insight:

Research was the only use case in which more than six in 10 lawyers (62%) report using generative AI for legal work.

One reason for this finding may be that the best-known generative AI tool, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, can quickly produce results in response to research-related questions.

However, lawyers must independently verify the information produced by the chatbot or they run the risk of citing fake cases in legal briefs.

More than four in 10 lawyers who have used the latest AI reported doing so for drafting documents (46%) and writing emails (42%).

A smaller percentage of lawyers have used generative AI for document analysis, understanding new legal concepts, conducting due diligence and developing litigation strategies.

Meanwhile, research is also the area in which lawyers see the most potential utility of generative AI, with 65% of attorneys across countries listing that use case.

Additionally, lawyers also report potential for the emerging AI to be used for drafting documents (56%), document analysis (44%) and writing emails (35%).

“Speed and efficiency for research and routine writing are the biggest areas of potential,” one U.S. lawyer survey respondent said.

A much higher percentage of lawyers has heard about generative AI tools such as ChatGPT (89%) than consumers (61%).

Overall, 47% of lawyers said they believe generative AI tools will significantly transform the practice of law and another 45% said the technology will have at least some impact.

"Our survey confirms what we hear from customers all over the world every day, that they are excited about the potential of generative AI to help improve their productivity, efficiency, and overall business and practice of law,” said Mike Walsh, CEO of LexisNexis Legal & Professional, in a press release.