Avoiding chaos in law firm AI

The recent Digital Conveyancing Summit in London revealed growing concerns about the hasty adoption of AI in law firms, with industry experts encouraging a more structured approach to its integration. The event, which attracted nearly 500 lawyers and technology specialists, aimed to clarify how AI, data, and automation are transforming workflows within the conveyancing sector. Industry leaders stressed the importance of not just rushing into AI usage without a solid foundation.

Rich Hill, Chief Technology Officer at InfoTrack, highlighted the dual-edged nature of technological adoption, stating that while “firms are increasingly embracing technology,” the crux of the issue lies in formulating appropriate strategies. The 2026 Digital Conveyancing Maturity Index (DCMI) revealed that although law firms saw a rise in their Digital Maturity Score from 54.4% to 59.8% between 2024 and 2026, AI adoption remains fragmented. Out of those surveyed, a stark 69% approached AI through individual experimentation rather than team-wide implementations.

The summit underscored five key warnings concerning the integration of AI in legal practices. First, experts advised against “automating chaos,” urging firms to first improve workflow efficiency before scaling AI. Angela Morreale-Devereaux of LawY stressed the need for strategic direction. She cautioned, “From a strategic point of view if you’re paying employees to spend a certain amount of time on the job, but they’re spending hours doing something AI can do in 10 minutes, then are you really getting value out of what you’re paying them?”

Second, the necessity of retaining human involvement in AI processes was emphasised. Peter Ambrose, Managing Director at The Partnership, reminded attendees that while technology can augment skills, it should not entirely replace human judgement. He asserted, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Third, participants were urged to prepare for increased regulatory supervision. Steve Brett, founder of E3 compliance training, noted that effective data management would become crucial as regulators adopt more data-driven approaches. He maintained it is vital to show regulators “engagement and willing,” combating potential adversarial relationships.

The fourth point addressed the evolving nature of fraud. Paul Clements, Product Manager at InfoTrack, warned that new forms of identity deception require enhanced verification techniques. He remarked, “Today’s fraudster doesn't need to leave home,” highlighting the sophistication of AI-generated facial and vocal imitations.

Finally, the importance of addressing cultural and leadership aspects in conjunction with technological advancements was emphasised. Sam Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at InfoTrack UK, pointed out that focusing solely on tech could lead firms to overlook critical human factors that facilitate successful change. “The challenge now is to shift away from individual experimentation to a more coordinated, firmwide approach underpinned by a clear AI strategy,” he said, stressing the need for software specifically designed for legal practices to prevent potential risks.

The discussions at the summit made it clear that while the legal profession stands at the precipice of a technological transformation, a thoughtfully constructed strategy is essential for harnessing AI effectively without descending into disarray