Agentic AI and the Future of Legal Technology

Agentic AI and the Future of Legal Technology

As legal professionals increasingly integrate generative and agentic AI into their workflows, the opportunity to rebalance the demands of legal practice is becoming more tangible. According to an article by Thomson Reuters, AI’s greatest promise lies not just in increased efficiency, but in its potential to enhance the quality of lawyers’ work and lives. Yet, this promise requires a nuanced approach, one that avoids both the hesitation to engage with AI and the temptation to over-rely on it.

The article equates the learning curve lawyers face with AI adoption to the experience of learning a new language: both require breaking down complexity into manageable steps. Like the grammar cases in Russian, AI proficiency develops gradually through repetition, experimentation, and deliberate practice. Lawyers who adopt this mindset can offload routine tasks to AI while refining their core legal skills.

However, unchecked reliance on AI tools introduces risk. The article cites studies that show overuse of AI can erode critical thinking, lower confidence, and lead to skill degradation. Missteps, such as submitting hallucinated case law, stem not from AI itself, but from failing to apply human judgment where it’s most needed. The antidote is purposeful engagement: understanding AI’s capabilities and limits, and knowing when to step in and steer.

The article suggests that agentic AI offers a powerful solution to these challenges. Unlike passive GenAI tools, these systems can plan, adapt, and execute complex workflows, acting more like autonomous team members than static assistants. But even they require orchestration from experienced legal professionals.

There is no doubt that AI will be transformative, but only if guided by thoughtful and skilled practitioners. The firms that thrive will empower their lawyers to pair AI’s speed with human discernment, preserving judgment, improving lives, and raising the standard of legal service.