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When can you expect a return on investment (ROI) on your Artificial Intelligence (AI)? According to a Bloomberg Law Survey, although most in-house attorneys use AI, there is no way to track its use.
It is predicted that in 2026, the investment and usage of GenAI will be continue to be inconsistent or uneven. The reason for the inconsistent use is the learning curve, not the technology. Therefore, instead of focusing on implementing AI, legal departments will choose to improve data quality and internal systems to accurately measure AI’s impact.
AI in Pilot Mode
The adoption of AI in the corporate legal world is divided. Some departments are still in the pilot stage, testing AI in controlled, small groups. Though these pilot stages have shed light on possible efficiencies, only a few firms have been implemented organization-wide. Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of data required to evaluate ROI will remain limited until AI is integrated into daily work.
Bloomberg Law’s State of Private Practice survey found that only 23% of lawyers say they use AI tools constantly, compared with 27% who have not used AI in the past 6 months. The uneven adoption shows that AI is still in its early stages and is used at the service level rather than ingrained in the system.
In Bloomberg’s survey, among in-house lawyers who responded, only a few used AI once or twice a month. One-third of these attorneys said it saved them less than 30 minutes a day, while 22% said it saved them 30 to 60 minutes a day. The conclusion is that although AI is helpful, the time savings remain insignificant because the technology isn’t mature enough to meet law firm expectations.
Reasons for not adopting AI
Many attorneys who haven’t adopted GENAI in their systems have not done so due to:
- Unreliable or incorrect answers (49%)
- Ethical concerns (49%)
- Security risks (48%)
- Not needed (43%)
In addition, about 32% say they feel AI isn’t mature enough to be heavily relied on for legal work.
Although generative AI is advancing rapidly, its use in the legal world still requires careful monitoring and evaluation before adoption. Because law firms expect quick results with set goals, the uneven adoption of AI makes it difficult to measure its impact and the value it contributes.
The Hidden Prerequisite: Data Readiness
Even if AI adoption were widespread, the ROI of AI could not be adequately measured with secure data. The majority of corporate-level legal departments were not built for quantitative analysis. Most still depend on manual reporting, fragmented systems, inconsistent metrics for tracking matters, turnaround times, and outside counsel spend.
Because there are no clear, well-defined standards for AI, adoption is almost impossible, leading AI to appear weaker than it truly is. Throughout 2026, investing in data quality, integration, and AI standardization will be a priority. Legal departments will establish consistent taxonomies, clear legacy datasets, and connect disparate systems into a single system. Though they might delay short-term ROI, these changes are essential for building a stable and credible track record of outcomes. After all, AI, in legal terms, is defined by these factors.
2026 Will Be The Year of Foundations for AI, Not Payoffs
This new year will focus on creating longevity rather than short-term wins. Legal teams should focus on these four factors for a stable future value:
- Measure by tracking usage, frequency, and workflow integrations in the adoption process.
- Create a foundation for turnaround time, matter volume, and spend.
- Combine the management, documentation, and billing systems.
- Arrange metrics evenly with goals.
Though these factors won’t create substantial ROI figures in 2026, they will instead produce a credible system for longevity and long-term measurements.
Rethinking ROI
In traditional ROI, measurable factors such as hours saved or reduced costs only tell part of the story. The real story of AI is how it changed businesses’ legal role. AI enhances risk detection, improves decision-making, and forms a capacity for strategic work. These results can be more complex to record, but have intrinsic value.
For 2026, it is expected that legal departments will shift from “efficient savings” to “value creation, which includes reduced risk, improved decision making, and putting talent to strategic work. Once these are adopted, the adoption process begins, and when the data is mature enough, these factors will deliver better, measurable ROI.
Looking Ahead
The year 2027 will go down in history as the year AI was widely adopted in the legal world. In 2026, legal departments will continue to strengthen data infrastructure, set realistic expectations and timelines, and develop clear adoption strategies.
At SRS, we take the time to stay up to date on market trends and research topics that we believe will interest our clients and job candidates. We want to continue to be a resource to answer your questions and strategically help you plan your career or your firm’s growth. Contact us today at (888) 366-6508 or message us. We would love to hear from you.