Source: Crafty Counsel
Andy Cooke, General Counsel at TravelPerk, delivered a key insight about the integration of data and AI in legal departments: AI alone won’t take your job, but a lawyer who understands AI will. His message underscored a vital point—embracing AI doesn’t just enhance efficiency but redefines how legal teams operate. Yet, as he pointed out, the adoption of these technologies shouldn’t compromise the human elements of legal practice.
A 2023 Bloomberg study highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to data in legal departments, revealing that only 18% of teams regularly use data to measure performance. This statistic speaks to a major opportunity within the sector: leveraging AI to not only boost productivity but to ensure legal teams provide strategic value to their businesses. However, as Cooke warned, overemphasising efficiency can strip legal work of its humanity. He introduced the “three C’s”—Care, Capability, and Culture—as essential principles that allow AI to augment legal work without sacrificing the human touch. Fostering a human-centric culture alongside AI integration isn’t just about improving workflow—it’s about ensuring that tech serves, rather than dictates, the work.
Leaders in the legal industry must think about the ethical use of AI, proactively shape their teams’ missions, and develop compelling narratives around data to communicate value effectively. For legal teams, it is important to prioritise mission-driven work, not just efficiency, to ensure that tech improves, rather than diminishes, the human element in law. By embracing AI’s capabilities while maintaining a human focus, legal teams can unlock new potential, both in terms of efficiency and ethical responsibility.
Read more: Crafty Counsel
