Commentary: AI and the Legal Profession at a Crossroads

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, it heralded an era of rapid transformation in artificial intelligence, profoundly impacting how people work and think globally. Two years later, China's DeepSeek AI model has triggered what observers call a new “Sputnik moment,” emphasizing a global competition not only in technological innovation but also in matters of intelligence, governance, and public trust — particularly within the legal profession, where AI’s influence is highly pronounced and increasingly disruptive[para. 1][para. 2].

A comparative 2025 survey by Thornhill Academy examined how AI is being adopted across the legal sectors in China and the U.K. Nearly 100 Chinese legal professionals from varying seniority levels and diverse firms contributed. It found that while most individual lawyers (96%) in China have adopted generative AI tools in their work, only 28% report regular, firm-wide use. This demonstrates a profession in transition — with strong individual experimentation but lagging institutional adoption[para. 3][para. 4]. DeepSeek emerged as the preferred platform for about 80% of respondents, followed by ChatGPT (48%), and other homegrown tools like MetaLaw and Fatianshi are gaining traction. Legal research is the primary application (74%), followed by contract review and document drafting. Almost half of firms expect to expand AI use in the next two years[para. 5][para. 6].

However, progress faces significant barriers: 52% cited concerns over immature or unreliable technology, 48% pointed to high upfront investment, and another 48% highlighted data security or confidentiality risks. Regulatory uncertainty and lack of clear ethical guidelines further dampen broader adoption. Firm-level investment remains modest; only 8% reported spending over 500,000 yuan ($70,000), with few exceptions, and transparency around AI budgeting is limited[para. 7][para. 8].

AI’s impact extends beyond efficiency in China’s legal sector. Roughly 81% of lawyers believe that AI will enhance, not replace, human expertise within five years. Most see AI as a “co-pilot” — accelerating research and drafting, while complex reasoning remains a human domain. Yet, about half foresee AI significantly transforming service delivery, and 22% anticipate changes in law-firm structures and legal roles, reflecting ongoing debates over whether AI is merely another tool or a true driver of professional evolution[para. 9][para. 10][para. 11].

Innovation cultures differ notably between China and the UK. In the UK, AI adoption is typically managed top-down, with dedicated innovation teams and even financial incentives, as at major firms like Shoosmiths. UK firms now view AI as key to strategic differentiation. Conversely, Chinese law firms typically approach innovation bottom-up, fueled by individual initiative but lacking coordinated, firm-wide strategies, creating a dynamic but fragmented innovation landscape[para. 12][para. 13][para. 14]. Success, according to Thornhill Academy’s report, hinges on blending technology with human insight, ethical judgment, and client trust[para. 15].

AI is also accelerating cross-border legal work. 86% of surveyed Chinese lawyers agree that AI improves their international work efficiency, particularly in translation and researching foreign law. 64% see it as key to advancing the internationalization of Chinese legal services[para. 16]. AI offers a competitive edge for Chinese lawyers — particularly outside Beijing and Shanghai — in delivering innovative, border-spanning legal solutions, positioning regional practitioners to play a more significant global role[para. 17].

AI promises not only automation but deeper understanding between legal systems and cultures. It offers opportunities for UK-China collaboration in research, shared