Login | August 29, 2025
Study finds more e-discovery professionals embracing generative AI
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal Tech News
Published: August 29, 2025
More e-discovery professionals are embracing the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
A new study shows 37% of professionals are now using the technology compared to two years ago when the number was just 12%.
In a July 23 post on LawSites (https://www.lawnext.com/2025/07/report-shows-37-of-e-discovery-professionals-now-using-ai-with-cloud-adopters-leading-the-charge.html) attorney and legal journalist Bob Ambrogi discusses the results of the 2025 Ediscovery Innovation Report by Everlaw.
Conducted in partnership with the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists and the International Legal Technology Association, researchers surveyed 299 legal professionals working at organizations ranging from Am Law 200 firms and corporate law departments to public sector entities.
The report finds 42% of those surveyed saved one to five hours a week by implementing generative AI, translating into a savings of 260 hours a year for each individual.
According to calculations by researchers, an average Am Law 200 firm with 757 employees could see more than 196,820 hours reclaimed annually through AI adoption.
Also of note, Ambrogi said participants utilizing cloud-based e-discovery software were three times more likely to use generative AI versus those with on-premises deployments. The number represents a decrease from last year’s five-fold difference, he said, suggesting the gap is narrowing but remains significant.
He said cloud-based software users are also more hopeful about the technology’s potential, with respondents four times more likely to express optimism about generative AI’s proliferation in the legal profession.
More professionals are utilizing cloud-based e-discovery software. In all, 66% of respondents use it, including 40% who manage their cloud deployments in house, up 5% from the previous year.
Ambrogi said the report suggests AI could lead firms to revamp billable hour and other traditional billing methods, with 90% of those surveyed saying the technology has or will impact conventional models within two years and almost 20% expecting changes in the next 12 months.
Overall, 70% of legal professionals who participated in the study possess positive or somewhat optimistic views about the use of generative AI, an increase of 5% from 2024.
In addition more than 80% believe AI will allow them to focus on higher-value work by making routine tasks easier and 76% expect it will increase efficiency.
Still 63% of respondents don’t believe the profession is prepared for the impact, an improvement from 2023 and 2024 when the numbers were 72% and 68% respectively.
Top concerns are liability, lack of trust and cost.
The report concludes that while AI adoption is accelerating and more people are recognizing the tangible benefits, significant portions of the legal industry remain cautious.