"AI is the new electricity. Just as electricity transformed almost everything 100 years ago, today I actually have a hard time thinking of an industry that I don’t think AI will transform in the next several years." - Andrew Ng, Co-founder of Google Brain
Moving beyond pilots
India's top law firms are shifting gears for 2026. The phase of cautious experimentation is ending as artificial intelligence (AI( becomes a core part of legal infrastructure. As per news reports, major players like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas report moving decisively past pilot stages, with a vast majority of their workforce now actively using these tools.
Transforming legal workflows
Technology is no longer just a nifty helper but essential infrastructure. Firms now deploy tools for document review, translation, and due diligence to reduce friction and improve precision. Singhania & Co reported that their proprietary platform cut high volume contract turnaround times by nearly sixty percent through automated workflow triggers.
Check all our posts for AI in legal; click here
Speed with confidentiality
While automation improves speed and accuracy, client confidentiality remains nonnegotiable. Experts at Khaitan & Co emphasize that data sovereignty is at the heart of their program. The focus is on integrating technology deeply without compromising the trust and privacy that form the foundation of legal practice. (source: news reports)
Evolving roles and skills
Fears of technology replacing lawyers are being dispelled by a shift toward hybrid roles. The industry expects a rise in demand for legal process engineers and multidisciplinary teams. The future strategy involves redeploying time saved into higher value client strategy rather than simply shrinking teams.
Regulatory guardrails and oversight
As adoption deepens, the judiciary is stepping in to ensure safety. A Supreme Court panel is currently conceptualizing guidelines for using these tools in judicial processes. This committee will critically define how technology can be deployed in filings and evidence to ensure fairness.
Summary
Indian law firms are transitioning from testing AI to integrating it fully into daily operations for 2026. While using tools for drafting and research improves efficiency, firms prioritize client confidentiality and hybrid talent. Concurrently the Supreme Court is establishing necessary guidelines for usage within the judiciary.
Food for thought
If artificial intelligence successfully handles the majority of routine legal research and documentation, how will junior lawyers acquire the foundational knowledge traditionally required to evolve into senior partners?
Check all our posts for AI in legal; click here
AI concept to learn: Intelligent automation
Intelligent automation combines artificial intelligence with robotic process automation to handle complex business processes effectively. It goes beyond simple rule following by using machine learning to analyze data and make decisions that improve over time. This allows software to adapt to new situations rather than just repeating preprogrammed tasks.
[The Billion Hopes Research Team shares the latest AI updates for learning and awareness. Various sources are used. All copyrights acknowledged. This is not a professional, financial, personal or medical advice. Please consult domain experts before making decisions. Feedback welcome!]
COMMENTS