Why Legal AI Is Really a People Problem (Not Just a Tech One)

Everyone’s talking about AI in law like it’s all about fancy tools and robot lawyers—but here’s the real secret: it’s actually a people problem. Melissa Koch from Akerman points out that the biggest reason legal AI projects fail isn’t the tech—it’s the team.

You can’t just hire one superhuman who gets law, tech, data, and change management all at once. Those people don’t exist. What works is building a team that, together, covers all the bases and knows how to collaborate. That means blending legal experts with data pros, tech translators, and process nerds who can rethink how things get done.

Firms are starting to shift how they structure their teams, too. Some embed everyone—lawyers, techies, client folks—into tight fusion teams. Others use a central innovation hub that connects to each practice area through hybrid liaisons. And some build flexible ecosystems that pull in outside experts when needed.

It’s not about choosing one perfect model. It’s about being intentional and people-first.

New roles like legal solution architects, knowledge engineers, and change facilitators are popping up, and they’re crucial. They bridge the gap between legal work and AI tools so things actually get used and make sense.

Bottom line: the best legal AI setups aren’t just tech wins. They’re human ones.

Read more here: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/building-a-legal-ai-dream-team-means-prioritizing-the-human-side