Thomson Reuters: Turning AI Pressure into Legal Advantage
Canada’s legal sector is moving into a new phase as generative AI adoption doubled in 2024. Legal firms face growing pressure to shift from experimenting with AI to achieving clear, measurable results. Meanwhile, in-house counsel demand faster, more transparent services, often working within flat or shrinking budgets. To meet these demands, many are turning to technology, process redesign, and alternative providers.
One of the biggest challenges is building teams that can effectively use new tools. Law societies emphasize competence, governance, and clear communication about AI use with clients. These challenges also create new opportunities for firms to offer more value in different ways.
The Canadian Legal Summit: Bridging Experimentation and Execution
The Canadian Legal Summit brings together leaders from across the legal profession to share practical strategies, test emerging technologies, and discuss how to build future-ready practices. Rinaldo Huriptyo, Head of Canada at Thomson Reuters, highlights the event as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation. He describes the Summit as a place where leaders and innovators tackle pressing challenges facing the legal profession.
Huriptyo says, “We’ve worked with Key Media for years, and sponsoring this event deepens our commitment to strengthening the legal community.”
A Profession Under Pressure and in Motion
Huriptyo points to global trends shaping Canadian law. Clients expect greater efficiency and transparency, pushing firms to create adaptable teams ready for the future. Despite these pressures, he sees opportunity. AI and digital tools open new ways to serve clients and streamline operations, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value work.
The Summit’s program reflects this balance of pressure and potential, offering sessions from strategic leadership to hands-on technology exploration. The goal is to equip legal professionals with the tools and mindset needed to adapt effectively.
Huriptyo will moderate a key session, Managing AI in Practice – Red Flags, Risk, and Real-World Policies. He stresses the importance of responsible AI implementation over hype. The panel will cover how firms and in-house teams test AI tools, set policies, and manage risks like data privacy and inaccurate results.
“Technology should be a catalyst, not a crutch,” Huriptyo explains. “Firms that thrive will adopt AI responsibly, with clear strategies and a focus on developing their people’s skills.”
Collaboration as a Competitive Edge
Thomson Reuters’ innovation approach relies heavily on collaboration. Through beta programs and advisory boards, they ensure client feedback shapes their products. This process extends to strategic guidance, helping firms plan AI adoption and meet client needs for speed, security, and transparency.
Huriptyo highlights the company’s AI-powered research and workflow tools, such as Westlaw, Practical Law, and their AI assistant, CoCounsel. These tools help legal professionals work more efficiently, with research indicating AI could save nearly 240 hours per professional annually.
Equally important is helping firms develop clear adoption strategies. “Those with defined strategies see stronger returns and faster growth. Technology should support long-term goals,” he says.
A Must-Attend Event for Legal Professionals
The Canadian Legal Summit lasts three days, but Huriptyo’s hopes for its impact extend beyond the event itself. He wants attendees to leave with new ideas, stronger networks, and the confidence to lead change.
He envisions Canada leading in ethical AI adoption, improved client service, and expanded access to justice. “The future of the Canadian legal profession will be shaped by those who invest in innovation, strategy, and their teams,” he says.
Events like this help build a legal community that is more resilient, client-focused, and prepared for the challenges ahead.
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