Navigating the AI revolution: LegalTech Summit in Toronto explores the future of law

Tara Vasdani at Remote Law Canada says that as AI tools tackle automatable tasks, the qualities that distinguish lawyers are empathy, human connection, and creativity. “So, if you don’t build the skills to be a creative, effective, autonomous lawyer, you’re really not going to be much different than an AI model,” she says.

While these broad changes are inevitable, how technology affects market dynamics can be challenging to predict. On a recent episode of Canadian Lawyer’s CL Talk podcast, Jordan Furlong predicted that one of the most resilient elements of the legal profession – the billable hour – will survive for a while.

Yet, Cohen argues that AI tools may also upend that certainty. He says that the ability to automate routine tasks could redefine pricing structures and client relationships, urging a shift toward alternative fee arrangements that reflect the actual value and output of legal services.

“We will see AFAs finally pick up steam as the inputs and outputs of legal service delivery shift,” he writes.

Amid this rapid change, one thing is sure: The legal profession is changing fast. But how exactly it will look in the future is far from certain.