A recent report by Thomson Reuters reveals a significant shift in the legal profession regarding artificial intelligence (AI). As legal professionals increasingly recognize the potential of AI, the urgency for appropriate training has become apparent.
According to the report released on April 17, 2025, a staggering 95% of surveyed professionals expect AI to form a crucial part of their work within the next five years. However, 64% admit they have not received any formal training on this transformative technology.
Raghu Ramanathan, Thomson Reuters’ president of legal professionals, noted, ‘It is incredible how quickly legal professionals have moved from skepticism to strategic adoption of GenAI.’ He emphasized that the challenge lies not in the technology itself, but in organizational integration while addressing ethical concerns inherent to legal practice.
The survey, which engaged around 1,700 global professionals from various sectors, indicated a marked increase in law firm usage of generative AI—from 14% in 2024 to 26% in 2025. A substantial 74% believe AI will benefit the legal industry, with 69% using generative AI tools at least weekly.
However, 52% of respondents reported that their firms lack formal generative AI usage policies, highlighting a pressing need for responsible AI practices.
Another crucial finding reveals that while AI usage promises efficiencies, significant ethical and privacy concerns must be navigated within the legal field. A senior policy analyst remarked, ‘Existing workforces need to be retrained about how to use, how to challenge, and how to recognize the use of AI.’
Moreover, clients express a desire for firms to leverage AI, with 57% indicating they expect their legal team to utilize such technology. Yet, the gap in policy and guidelines raises questions about AI’s integration into the industry and whether it will threaten jobs. Only 10% of respondents believe generative AI poses no threat to legal professionals, while opinions vary across the board.
Law firms are advised to invest in technology and establish comprehensive training programs, as currently, only 23% have specific policies guiding generative AI usage.
In the education sector, AI continues to garner attention as institutions increasingly utilize predictive analytics to enhance student success. Recent discussions spearheaded by researchers, including Denisa Gándara and Hadis Anahideh, highlight the potential risks associated with algorithmic predictions—particularly concerning racial biases in predicting student outcomes.
The emerging consensus is that while AI may facilitate interventions, caution is imperative to avoid perpetuating historical inequities. The duo noted, ‘Without careful attention to the historical biases that may shape data and algorithms, these tools can inadvertently reinforce educational inequities.’
In conclusion, as both law and education evolve under the influence of AI, the focus must shift towards comprehensive training, policy formulation, and the ethical deployment of these technologies to foster equitable outcomes across sectors.
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