75% of lawyers favor AI regulation in the profession, study says

A significant majority of Brazilian lawyers, 75%, advocate for the regulation of artificial intelligence within the legal profession, according to a recent study by the Brazilian Bar Association (AASP). The survey, which polled 1,149 legal professionals between May and June, highlights the growing integration of AI into legal practice.

More than 87% of respondents reported using some form of AI tool, largely to enhance productivity in tasks such as legal research, drafting documents, and analyzing case law. Despite this widespread adoption, a strong consensus exists that AI-generated output requires human oversight, with three out of four lawyers emphasizing the necessity of human review.

The primary concern identified by legal professionals is the phenomenon of AI "hallucinations," where the technology produces inaccurate information. This risk was cited by over half of the respondents. Other concerns include unsupervised AI use (23%), over-reliance on the technology (14%), and potential breaches of professional secrecy (7%).

Despite these risks, the prevailing sentiment among lawyers is that AI serves as a complement rather than a replacement for human expertise. The study suggests that while AI may automate operational tasks, strategic and interpretive legal functions will remain the domain of human lawyers. Paula Lima Hyppolito Oliveira, president of the AASP, noted that technology is now a routine part of professional life, and the focus must shift to preparing legal professionals for a future where innovation, knowledge, and security are intertwined.