AI in legal work: accountability remains with lawyers, says Thomson Reuters executive at ETLegalWorld Conclave 2026
At the fifth edition of the ETLegalWorld Commercial Disputes Conclave 2026, Abhishek Sharma, Regional Counsel at Thomson Reuters, outlined how artificial intelligence can transform legal operations. He said AI can help legal teams move from reactive risk management to proactive business enablement.
“AI can help legal teams move from reactive risk management to proactive business enablement,” Sharma said. “But trust, security and human accountability must remain central to adoption.”
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about integrating AI tools into law firms and corporate legal departments while upholding professional standards and accountability. Sharma emphasised that even as automation accelerates tasks such as document review, contract analysis, and discovery, the responsibility for legal advice and risk assessment remains that of qualified lawyers.
Impact and implications for stakeholders include:
- For taxpayers and individuals: AI-assisted legal services can offer faster access to vetted information, but outputs should be transparent and auditable.
- For businesses and investors: AI can enhance efficiency in contract review, due diligence, and dispute preparation, provided strong governance and clear accountability are maintained.
- For regulators and policy makers: there is a need for standards on AI use in legal services, covering data security, governance, and controlling liability.
