Artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector in profound ways, influencing revenue generation, workflow efficiencies, and talent acquisition. According to the Wolters Kluwer 2026 Future Ready Lawyer (FRL) Survey Report, published on March 10, nearly all legal professionals are now utilizing at least one AI tool daily, with many noting significant time savings. The survey, which gathered insights from respondents across the United States, China, and nine European nations, highlights how lawyers, law firms, and legal departments are integrating and adjusting to AI technologies, fundamentally reshaping the legal marketplace.
In a recent webinar titled “Scaling AI Across Organizations,” moderated by Grégoire Miot, Director of Product Management for Legal & Regulatory at Wolters Kluwer and President of the European Legal Technology Association (ELTA), experts discussed the survey’s findings. The panel featured Elgar Weijtmans, Head of Technology at HVG Law; Ken Crutchfield, CEO of Spring Forward; Anne Graue, President & Co-Founder of “Our Legal Community”; Tomasz Zalewski, founder of the LegalTech Poland Foundation; and Tom Braegelmann, LL.M., from Annerton.
Scaling AI – From Pilots to Widespread Adoption
Miot emphasized that this latest edition of Wolters Kluwer’s Future Ready Lawyer report signifies a pivotal shift; lawyers are now embracing AI rather than debating its potential inclusion. Over 90% of respondents reported utilizing at least one AI tool in their daily operations.
During the discussion, Miot posed a critical question regarding how firms and legal departments can transition from AI pilot programs to comprehensive implementation. Weijtmans pointed out that while firms may have initially deployed a single, general AI tool, selecting specific tools has become increasingly complex. To enhance adoption, he advised, firms should start by identifying the specific challenges they aim to address. Moreover, he stated that the technology itself constitutes only 20% of the solution; the remaining 80% revolves around effectively training users to utilize the AI tool.
Crutchfield added that adoption rates differ across various segments—large law firms, small firms, and in-house counsel—and that choosing solutions tailored to the unique needs of attorneys is essential. Echoing Weijtmans’ insights, he emphasized the importance of user training as a critical factor in overcoming barriers to wider adoption.
Braegelmann highlighted AI’s potential to significantly alleviate repetitive tasks in legal work, such as transferring data from PDFs to Excel or inputting information into legal databases. He noted that the legal industry has historically embraced technological advancements—such as word processing, email, and cloud storage—quickly, and this trend is continuing with the adoption of AI tools. “Lawyers are innovation leaders in this domain,” he affirmed.
As the legal profession increasingly integrates AI, it is clear that its impact extends beyond mere efficiency gains. By carefully selecting and training on the right tools, legal professionals can revolutionize their workflows and better serve their clients. The ongoing dialogue about these technologies will continue to shape the future of the legal landscape, fostering innovation and progress.
