Obianuju Lucy Anigbogu is a First Class Honors LL.B. candidate at Afe Babalola University and a recipient of the Annual Award for Academic Excellence. She serves as a Research Assistant at the OGEES Institute and a volunteer for the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch), alongside her role as an award-winning Social Media Ambassador for The Student Lawyer (London, UK). Her academic and professional focus centers on International Law, Intellectual Property, and the legal implications of emerging technologies.
Artificial intelligence as defined by oxford dictionary is the capacity of computers or other machines to exhibit or simulate intelligent behavior; the field of study concerned with this. In later use also: software used to perform tasks or produce output previously thought to require human intelligence, esp. by using machine learning to extrapolate from large collections of data.[i] Artificial Intelligence marked the epoch for complex tasks which would typically require human cognition to now be preform by these machine and software in terms of learning, problem solving and understanding natural language, making work faster, efficient and reliable.
However, as revolutionary as the innovation of Artificial Intelligence is, the advancement of AI comes the displacements of jobs for individuals across different sectors of the work field. This is traceable from the first official AI tool called the Logic theorist, developed for running mathematical calculation using symbolic logic. As groundbreaking as it was, it eventually displaced individuals known as the human calculators from their jobs.[ii] Together with more recent AI innovations like Alexa, fully automated cars, automated registrars, medical Nano bots and neuro link chips among numerous others. It is changing a lot of professions to now be fully automated by the tools.
From a legal standpoint, Artificial intelligence is defined as a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations or decisions influencing real or virtual environments.[iii] The legal profession like other profession has allowed for the integration of Artificial Intelligence as it now allows for a wide array of AI-enabled tools. These innovations provide the capacity for execution of tasks such as;
Drafting wills
Legal research
Traditionally, handling of legal research is time-consuming, requiring lawyers to go through numerous quantities of case laws, judicial precedents, Journals, Articles and statutes. However with the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, AI tools can now perform tedious tasks making it more efficient, analyzing large datasets in minutes, identifying relevant information, and summarizing findings. The introduction of generative AI also takes this a step further, generating briefings and case summaries that reduce hours of work into mere minutes.
Legal document creation and document automation
Contract drafting, affidavits, writs, legal forms and agreements is one of the core aspect of the legal practice. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, AI-driven tools can now automate much of this process, using predefined templates to generate precise, consistent and compliant documents. This automation not only reduces human error but also frees up lawyers to focus on more strategic matters.
Due diligence
In law, due diligence refers to the reasonable care, caution, and thorough investigation that a person, company, or institution is expected to take before entering into an agreement, making a purchase, or fulfilling a legal obligation. It serves as a protective measure to assess risks and avoid liability. Due to how important due diligence is, makes the work extremely labor intensive
Law firms use these AI tools to rapidly process and analyze vast volumes of contracts, documents, and other data sources, identifying potential risks and compliance issues with remarkable accuracy. This enhances the thoroughness of due diligence and also accelerates the process, allowing firms to take on more clients without compromising quality.
Predictive analytics.
Predictive analysis in law uses artificial intelligence and statistical modeling to forecast future case outcomes based on historical legal data. By analyzing past judicial rulings, case filings, and precedents, these tools allow attorneys to make data-driven decisions regarding litigation risks, settlement strategies, and case budgeting.[iv] Law firms make use of AI tool to analyze historical data to forecast the outcomes of cases, allowing their lawyers to assess the likelihood of success and tailor their strategies accordingly.
Artificial Intelligence is enhancing legal professionals’ productivity by automating routine tasks, it shows the epoch of a ready-made solution that will assist in making it simpler for individuals to have access to justice.
Can artificial intelligence fully replace lawyers ?
Although artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed legal practice by improving legal research, document review and administrative efficiency, it cannot fully replace lawyers. AI is capable of analyzing vast amounts of legal information and automating repetitive tasks, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs. However, the legal profession requires skills that extend beyond processing information and applying legal rule.[v] One of the primary reasons AI cannot replace lawyers is the need for human judgment. Legal disputes often involve unique facts and circumstances that require discretion, critical thinking and contextual analysis. Lawyers must interpret legislation and case law, balance competing interests and provide advice tailored to the specific needs of each client. These decisions frequently involve moral and ethical considerations that AI cannot adequately assess. Furthermore, lawyers owe professional and ethical duties to their clients, including duties of competence, loyalty, confidentiality and acting in the client’s best interests. While AI can generate legal information, it cannot assume professional responsibility for its advice or exercise independent ethical judgment when faced with complex legal dilemmas.[vi] Confidentiality also remains a significant concern. Many AI platforms require users to input information to generate responses, creating potential risks where confidential or legally privileged client information is entered into external systems. Legal practitioners must therefore exercise caution when using AI to ensure compliance with professional obligations relating to confidentiality and data protection.⁴
Court advocacy is another area where AI cannot replace lawyers. Effective advocacy requires persuasive communication, strategic thinking and the ability to respond to judges, witnesses and opposing counsel in real time. Equally important is emotional intelligence.[vii] Clients frequently seek reassurance, empathy and practical guidance during emotionally challenging situations, qualities that AI is currently unable to replicate. Consequently, AI should be regarded as a tool that enhances legal practice rather than a replacement for legal professionals
Ethical perspective
Some people believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can be fairer and more objective than humans. This is because AI is free from various influences; it cannot be swayed by personal connections, dependencies, corruption, or other biased factors. Despite lacking emotions and human experience, artificial intelligence has the potential to be just. However, the concept of justice isn’t solely about applying rules and laws; it also relies on societal values, culture, human emotions, and ethical principles. Robot judges can make decisions solely by using given data and logical algorithms, but this can sometimes lead to shortcomings in issues requiring human rights considerations, social justice, or human sensitivity in specific situations. Despite its many benefits, the use of AI in legal practice presents several ethical challenges. One of the most significant concerns is algorithmic bias. AI systems are trained using historical datasets which may contain existing social or institutional biases. As a result, AI-generated outputs may produce unfair or discriminatory outcomes, raising concerns about equality, fairness and access to justice. Another challenge is the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated information. Generative AI systems have been known to produce fabricated legal authorities and inaccurate case citations, commonly referred to as “AI hallucinations”. Lawyers who rely on such outputs without proper verification risk providing incorrect legal advice and may face professional or disciplinary consequences.[viii] Accountability also remains an unresolved issue. Where AI provides inaccurate legal advice that results in financial loss or prejudice to a client, determining liability becomes difficult. Since AI systems cannot be held professionally accountable, responsibility ultimately remains with the legal practitioner who relies upon the technology.[ix]
Finally, AI raises important concerns regarding confidentiality, data privacy and copyright. Uploading confidential client information into AI systems may expose sensitive data if adequate safeguards are not in place. Similarly, uncertainty surrounding the ownership of AI-generated work continues to raise copyright and intellectual property concerns.
Conclusion
Taking together the points above, Artificial intelligence has become an invaluable tool in the legal profession, improving efficiency, accuracy and access to legal information through legal research, document review and administrative support. However, despite these advantages, AI cannot fully replace lawyers because legal practice requires human judgment, ethical decision-making, advocacy, emotional intelligence and professional accountability. The legal and ethical challenges associated with AI, including bias, confidentiality, data privacy and accountability, further demonstrate the need for continued human oversight. Therefore, the future of legal practice is likely to involve collaboration between lawyers and AI, where technology enhances legal services while qualified legal professionals retain responsibility for legal advice, ethical obligations and the administration of justice.
[i] ‘Artificial Intelligence’, Oxford Dictionary of Law (9th edn, Oxford University Press 2022) 92.
[ii] Gil Press, ‘A very short history of Artificial Intelligence’ (Forbes, 30 December 2016) < https://www.forbes.com/sites/gilpress/2016/12/30/a-very-short-history-of-artificial-intelligence-ai/ history > accessed 8 July 2026.
[iii] Cornell Law School, ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI)’ Legal Information Institute (Wex) <https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/artificial_intelligence_(ai)> accessed 9 July 2026.
[iv] Chambers and Partners, ‘Introduction to Legal Analytics and Predictive Modelling’ (26 August 2025) <https://chambers.com/articles/introduction-to-legal-analytics-and-predictive-modelling>accessed 7 July 2026.
[v] Michael Legg and Felicity Bell, ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession: Becoming the AI-Enhanced Lawyer’ (2019) 38(2) University of Tasmania Law Review 34 <https://www.lawsociety.com.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/ArtificialIntelligenceandtheLegalProfession.pdf> accessed 8 July 2026.
[vi] Melissa Love Koenig, Julie A Oseid and Amy Vorenberg, ‘OK, Google, Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Lawyering?’ (2019) 102 Marquette Law Review 1269< https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/facpub/709/>accessed 9 July 2026.
[vii] ibid.
[viii] Samuel Estreicher and Lior Polani, ‘AI’s Limitations in the Practice of Law’ (2025) NYU Law and Economics Research Paper No 25-18< https://ssrn.com/abstract=5387402> accessed 9 July 2026.
[ix] Daniel Schwarcz, Debarati Das, Dongyeop Kang and Brett McDonnell, ‘Thinking Like a Lawyer in the Age of Generative AI: Cognitive Limits on AI Adoption Among Lawyers’ (2025) Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No 25-31<https://ssrn.com/abstract=5260645>accessed 9 July 2026.
