The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal sector in Spain at a rapid pace. According to recent data from the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), nearly 80% of law firms are already using tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, or Gemini AI, in addition to specific solutions for the legal field. This phenomenon, which was just emerging a year ago—with only 3% adoption in small firms and 11% in large firms, according to the Madrid Bar Association—has quickly evolved, also reaching judges and prosecutors. The integration of AI promises to streamline and optimize legal work, but it also poses significant challenges. Lack of knowledge and training can lead to serious errors, such as including non-existent case law or foreign legislation in claims, or exposing sensitive data. The Constitutional Court already warned in 2024 about these risks, and the CGPJ has received complaints related to the improper use of these technologies. Another challenge is the economic and training gap between large firms, which invest in the best solutions and training, and small firms or the justice administration, which have fewer resources. This inequality could affect the quality and fairness of access to justice, according to experts consulted by El Periódico Extremadura. The impartiality of algorithms is another critical point. Manuel Marchena, former president of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, warned in 2022 about the need to ensure that algorithmic systems are equitable and non-discriminatory. Jurimetrics tools, increasingly present, allow for the analysis of historical data and the prediction of legal trends, facilitating the drafting of legal documents, but require supervision and critical judgment from professionals. The European regulatory framework, with the Artificial Intelligence Act in effect since August 2024, establishes specific rules for high-risk systems, such as legal ones, which will be mandatory starting in 2026. Large firms and legal departments are already preparing to adapt to these requirements. Mabel Klimt, head of Innovation and Technology at the Madrid Bar Association, emphasizes that AI should not replace the professional judgment of lawyers but rather complement it. She also warns of the risk of the disappearance of the "artisan lawyer" due to technological pressure and the generational gap opening in the profession. Professional associations, therefore, play a key role in training and providing technical support to reduce these inequalities. In the judicial sphere, the CGPJ has created a working group on AI and is preparing a mandatory training plan for new judges and a voluntary one for the 4,500 currently in practice, along with instructions on the responsible use of these tools. Judge José Antonio Montero highlights the importance of maintaining human control over rulings, stating that "sentences are a human product and automation has limits." Since November, the Judicial Documentation Center (CENDOJ) has been offering judges the KENDOJ system, which facilitates access to legal information and understanding of rulings through AI. The Supreme Court is already exploring its use to identify similar appeals and unify criteria. The Prosecutor's Office has also begun training sessions on Copilot, the AI tool available for prosecutors, led by Attorney General Teresa Peramato. Miguel Hermosa, head of Digital Justice at the General Council of Spanish Law, announces the upcoming publication of the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence and Law and a large survey on the use of AI in the profession. He warns of the "laziness bias," reminding that human supervision is essential: "The machine is just a probabilistic mechanism; the ultimate responsibility lies with the person who signs the documents." Source: elperiodicoextremadura.com