The Future of AI + LegalTech @ SF Tech Week

During San Francisco Tech Week, Chief LegalX founder Monica Zent convened a timely conversation on the future of AI and LegalTech, bringing together legal executives, operators, and innovators to examine how artificial intelligence is actually being adopted inside legal organizations. While investment and interest in AI tools have surged across the legal industry, the discussion highlighted a critical gap between experimentation and real-world implementation. The session focused on what it truly takes for legal teams to move beyond pilots and into measurable, operational impact.

Panelists explored the realities of AI adoption from both leadership and practitioner perspectives, emphasizing that successful deployment depends less on hype and more on governance, security, and change management. AI is increasingly viewed as a force multiplier—freeing legal professionals from repetitive work and enabling deeper strategic focus—but only when paired with the right tools, internal champions, and clear accountability. The conversation reinforced the importance of thoughtful vendor selection and the need for legal teams to build internal AI fluency rather than rely solely on external solutions.

The discussion also underscored a broader shift in how legal organizations approach innovation. Rather than operating in silos, legal leaders are collaborating more closely with IT, compliance, and business stakeholders to establish responsible AI frameworks and demonstrate tangible ROI. The session captured a defining moment for the industry: legal teams are no longer asking if AI will reshape their work, but how to implement it responsibly, sustainably, and at scale. This dialogue reflects Chief LegalX’s ongoing mission to convene leaders who are shaping the next era of legal services.