AI as a Competitive Advantage for Lawyers

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the legal profession. But what does AI really mean in practice for lawyers — and where does its true value lie?

Our Legal Tech Team members Maria Antrea and Valter Pasanen work with AI on a daily basis. Based on their experience, they see AI not as a replacement for legal expertise but as a powerful enabler and a competitive advantage when used thoughtfully and responsibly.

AI Is One Tool Among Many

AI does not change the core of good legal advice. High‑quality legal work still starts with a deep understanding of the client’s business, sound judgment, and clear, unambiguous contract language. AI can support this work, but it cannot replace the human elements that sit at the heart of effective legal counsel.

Used Well, AI Improves Efficiency and Accuracy

When applied correctly, AI can significantly increase both efficiency and precision. A basic understanding of AI is fast becoming an essential skill for any lawyer, comparable to mastering word processing tools in earlier decades. AI helps lawyers spend less time on routine tasks and more time on analysis, strategy, and client interaction.

Not Everyone Needs to Code

While lawyers are not expected to become programmers, understanding AI’s opportunities and risks is increasingly important for everyone in the profession. In practice, this may involve learning how to prompt AI tools effectively, designing smarter legal processes, or understanding how AI supports the delivery of high-quality legal services. Of course, we must also understand how AI is shaping the landscape our clients operate in.

AI Adoption Cannot Be Fully Outsourced

Meaningful use of AI requires close collaboration between technical expertise and legal substance. Even when external partners or tools are involved, legal professionals must remain actively engaged. Responsible AI use depends on lawyers understanding how the technology works, where its limits lie, and how its output should be evaluated.

AI Literacy Is Now a Requirement

AI literacy is no longer “nice to have” — it is quickly becoming a baseline expectation. Understanding AI’s limitations and ensuring the quality of AI‑generated output is critical. In Finland, courts have already encountered AI‑generated pleadings containing incorrect statutory references and even fabricated case law (Yle, March 2026). These examples underline a key point: knowing how AI can fail is just as important as knowing what it can do.

A frequently quoted statement still rings true: AI will not make lawyers obsolete, but it will make obsolete those lawyers who do not use AI.

At its best, AI can also level the playing field. When used sensibly and grounded in a firm’s own data and expertise, the value created by AI can be shared across the organisation to benefit teams and clients alike.

Learn more about how our Legal Tech Team works and read Maria’s and Valter’s career stories.