Team size: 2

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into legal teams, and the pressure grows to ‘do more with less’, how can GC balance efficiency, quality and human judgement?

As AI becomes more embedded in legal teams, the role of the GC is to use it as an enabler, not a substitute for judgement. At CCEEP, where we are one of Microsoft’s co-partners, we actively work with AI tools such as Copilot Pro to drive efficiency in areas like drafting, structuring information and first level analysis. When used well, this creates capacity for higher value legal work and stronger business partnering.

At the same time, quality and judgement remain non-negotiable. A sentence that has stayed with me from a Microsoft session is: it is called Copilot, not Autopilot. Simple, but very telling. AI can support, accelerate and challenge our thinking, but ownership and responsibility always sit with the user. Every output must be reviewed, tested and put into context. For a GC, the balance lies in being clear on where AI adds value, setting clear guardrails for its use, and ensuring that human judgement, accountability and ethical responsibility remain at the core of the role.

What key trends – and challenges – should in-house lawyers be monitoring over the next year?

Over the next year, in-house lawyers should closely monitor the combined impact of geopolitical volatility, accelerated technological disruption and increasing legislative pressure. 2026 will not be business as usual. These forces are reshaping how organisations operate and compete, and legal teams are expected to play a more proactive role in anticipating change, embedding compliance into strategy and supporting business agility in an increasingly complex environment.

At the same time, the key challenge for in-house teams will be balancing speed with compliance, and innovation with accountability. Organisations will need to pivot quickly in response to geopolitical and regulatory headwinds without losing momentum. For legal teams, this requires both foresight and strong execution. The ability to deliver clarity in complexity, help the business navigate uncertainty, and identify opportunities within disruption will be a clear differentiator over the next twelve months.