Agentic AI following GenAI’s growth trajectory in legal, but with unique oversight challenges, new report shows

2026-04-09 · Source: Thomson Reuters Institute · Field: Legal & Regulatory — Legal Technology (LegalTech), Compliance & Risk Management · Depth: Intermediate, short

Summary

A new report from the Thomson Reuters Institute, the "2026 AI in Professional Services Report," indicates that agentic AI is poised for rapid adoption in the legal industry, mirroring the growth trajectory of generative AI (GenAI). While less than 20% of law firms currently use agentic systems, approximately half are planning or considering implementation in the near future. This follows a significant rise in GenAI adoption, from 14% of firms in early 2024 to 43% in early 2026. However, agentic AI's increased autonomy introduces unique oversight and ethical challenges, making explicit guidance on human intervention and targeted education crucial for successful integration. Legal professionals express optimism, with 51% feeling "excited" or "hopeful," but also highlight concerns about monitoring and the need for clear definitions of the lawyer's role.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VPs of Engineering/Data in legal firms evaluating agentic AI, your primary focus should be on developing robust human oversight frameworks and comprehensive training programs. Clearly articulate the specific points of human intervention within agentic workflows to address professional anxieties and ethical duties. This proactive approach will build confidence, accelerate adoption, and ensure compliance, preventing potential pitfalls associated with increased AI autonomy.

Key insights

Agentic AI adoption in legal mirrors GenAI's rise but demands explicit human oversight and ethical guidance due to its increased autonomy.

Principles

• Autonomy requires clear human oversight.
• Education is key for new AI adoption.
• Ethical duties guide AI deployment.

Method

Successful agentic AI integration in legal requires re-thinking AI education to pinpoint and over-explain instances where human oversight is necessary, balancing efficient workflows with human intervention.

In practice

• Develop clear human-in-the-loop protocols.
• Educate legal teams on agentic AI differences.
• Define lawyer's ethical role in AI workflows.

Topics

• Agentic AI
• Generative AI
• Legal Technology
• AI Adoption
• Human Oversight

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Executive, Domain Expert, Director of AI/ML, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Thomson Reuters Institute.