Generative AI use is spreading faster than firms are building the safeguards to manage it
In the past year, use of general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude has more than doubled among legal professionals. The 8am™ 2026 Legal Industry Report shows that 69% of legal professionals now use AI for work, up from just 31% in 2025.
For lawyers, generative AI is already reshaping how legal work gets done. But firm readiness isn’t keeping pace. Most firms are still unprepared to manage the risks, policies, and pricing changes that come with it.