Wolters Kluwer survey finds AI reshapes legal workflows but leaves human judgment central to the profession

A new survey by Wolters Kluwer highlights a significant shift in the legal profession driven by artificial intelligence. Routine tasks such as initial drafting and research are being displaced at a rapid pace, but the profession remains vibrant and in demand. The survey, conducted across the U.S., China, and nine European countries, indicates that the skills machines cannot replicate—such as judgment, negotiation, and relationship-building—are becoming more valuable. This evolution is forcing law firms and corporate legal departments to rethink how work is structured and what lawyers actually do. Legal work is being unbundled into smaller subtasks, with machines handling some aspects while lawyers focus on higher-value client engagement. This change is compressing the traditional path for junior lawyers, who now spend more time evaluating AI output, a cognitively demanding task that requires significant judgment. While some experts suggest that AI could compress the learning curve for junior attorneys, others argue that the traditional process of learning through trial and error remains essential. Ultimately, the survey suggests that success in an AI-driven legal practice requires continuous learning, strong compliance frameworks, and a culture of adaptability. Lawyers must remain the human in the loop, evaluating AI outputs and taking responsibility for outcomes, shifting their role from reactive advisers to proactive decision-making partners.

(Source：Complete Ai Training)