Generative AI and legal practice: a complicated relationship

Abstract The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is widely expected to transform professional practices across multiple sectors, including the legal profession. This article critically examines the growing integration of GenAI tools into legal work and the implications this development carries for professional competence, ethical responsibility, and the broader institutional structure of legal practice. While AI promises substantial gains in efficiency by automating tasks such as legal research, document drafting, information retrieval, and data analysis, their adoption also raises significant concerns regarding reliability, transparency, confidentiality, and professional accountability. While prevailing narratives surrounding AI adoption in law often frame technological integration as both inevitable and normatively desirable, emphasising efficiency and competitive advantage while downplaying potential risks and value conflicts, the increasing delegation of professional tasks to algorithmic systems challenges traditional understandings of legal expertise, particularly in relation to judgement, reasoning, and professional autonomy. Moreover, unequal access to advanced AI tools and proprietary datasets may reinforce structural inequalities within the legal market, benefitting larger firms while disadvantaging smaller practices. This article argues for a balanced approach that combines technological literacy with strong ethical frameworks and institutional safeguards. Ultimately, responsible integration of GenAI requires sustained human oversight and collective professional engagement to ensure that technological innovation supports, rather than undermines, the core values of legal practice.