Insufficient training causes AI to generate fictitious laws, forcing prestigious law firms to apologize. Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the functioning of major professions, and the legal sector is no exception. While it was traditionally thought that highly qualified professions were protected from automation, the reality shows that the legal field is rapidly adopting generative AI tools to optimize processes and reduce workloads. According to the "AI in Professional Services Report 2026" from Thomson Reuters, 41% of law firms already use AI regularly, and 15% plan to implement it soon. This growth is notable compared to the 28% recorded the previous year, representing an increase of nearly 13 percentage points in less than twelve months. Regarding individual use, the "8am Legal Industry Report" (2026) indicates that 69% of U.S. lawyers already use generative AI, highlighting time savings as the main benefit. AI in law firms The integration of AI in law is particularly natural, as it allows for the automation of repetitive tasks and streamlines case management. However, it also involves significant risks. Recently, the prestigious Wall Street firm Sullivan & Cromwell had to publicly apologize after it was discovered that the AI used in its writings had invented non-existent legislation. The traditional hourly billing model is being questioned. It is estimated that each lawyer could save about 190 hours annually thanks to AI, which, according to the report "Future of Professionals report analysis: Why AI will flip law firm economics" (Thomson Reuters, October 2025), could translate into savings of up to $20 billion in labor costs just in the United States. Tasks such as legal research or case review, which previously required hours, can now be resolved in seconds. The study "AI-Powered Legal Intelligence System Architecture: A Comprehensive Framework for Automated Legal Consultation and Analysis" (2025) demonstrates that combining language models with legal databases can reduce preliminary analysis time by more than 90% in certain processes. This advancement is also driving a change in the business model. Clients, aware of the efficiency that AI brings, demand greater transparency and more competitive pricing, forcing firms to rethink their billing systems. New challenges and business models The legal sector thus faces the need to adapt its management and billing. The report "From billable hours to value-driven legal services" (Thomson Reuters, November 2025) notes that many firms are migrating to results-based models, flat fees, or hybrid schemes (AFAs), considered by experts to be the most suitable for the new technological environment. The white paper "How do I keep my hours billable with GenAI?" warns that firms lose revenue by spending time on low-value, non-billable tasks. AI allows for the automation of these tasks, freeing lawyers to focus on strategic and higher-value activities. In addition to efficiency, AI improves case management, shortens response times, and increases accuracy in forecasts, allowing for more competitive and transparent pricing. This facilitates the transition to fixed or value-based fee models, strengthening trust and relationships with clients. Challenges and risks Despite the rapid adoption, the lack of specific training in AI is a significant issue. The 8am "Legal Industry Report" (2026) reveals that more than 50% of lawyers using AI have never received formal training, increasing the risk of errors, such as generating fictitious legal content. These failures can have serious consequences, from sanctions to loss of client trust. Furthermore, the transition to more automated models may result in short-term revenue reductions and the need to adjust staffing, as warned by Thomson Reuters. However, this transformation also represents an opportunity for small firms, which can compete on equal footing by eliminating the barriers of size and resource availability. Source: eleconomista.es