Artificial Intelligence and Clients: The Growing Use of AI Tools for Legal Research and What Users Should Know About the Benefits, Risks, and Necessary Cautions

The use of Artificial Intelligence in the legal field is not just limited to law offices, as clients are increasingly using AI tools, such as ChatGPT and other language models, to research legal issues, draft correspondence, evaluate potential claims, and even assess settlement value. These tools can be helpful for clients; however, when clients use AI in connection with a legal matter, there are important considerations and risks that should not be overlooked.

AI as a Helpful Starting Point

AI tools can help clients organize their thoughts, understand general legal concepts, and frame questions for their attorney. They can assist in drafting timelines, summarizing events, or generating lists of issues to discuss during meetings. When used in this way, AI can improve efficiency and communication.

However, AI tools cannot evaluate credibility, read a courtroom, assess evidentiary admissibility, or predict how a particular judge may respond to an argument. Legal strategy requires experience, professional judgment, and an understanding of risks that extend far beyond generalized information that an AI model may produce.

Confidentiality, Discoverability, and Credibility Concerns

Clients should exercise caution when entering sensitive or confidential information into AI platforms. Publicly available AI tools are not designed to provide attorney-client privilege protections for client information. Content shared with a chatbot may be stored, processed, or used in ways outside the client’s control.

Before entering detailed facts about a dispute, financial information, sensitive business data, or personal matters, clients should consider whether disclosure of their AI chat history could later negatively impact their case or credibility. When in doubt, sensitive information is best shared directly with your attorney rather than with a third-party AI system.

Related to confidentiality is the emerging issue of discoverability. Courts are beginning to confront whether AI-generated communications can be obtained during litigation. In February 2026, a federal judge in New York ruled that AI-generated communications were not protected from discovery at trial.

While this area of law is still developing, the decision signals that AI communications may not receive the same protections as conversations with legal counsel. Opposing counsel could attempt to request a client’s AI chat history in certain cases. Whether such requests will ultimately succeed in every jurisdiction remains uncertain, but judges are clearly beginning to examine these issues more closely.

Another practical consideration is client credibility when using AI tools. Courts and opposing counsel are becoming increasingly aware of AI-generated content. Submissions or communications that clearly appear to be copied directly from a chatbot, particularly if they contain unusual formatting, generic phrasing, or even inaccurate information, can undermine credibility. In litigation, credibility is crucial, and the substance and presentation of information can influence how a case is perceived by the court.

Additional Considerations for Clients Using Artificial Intelligence

AI can be an excellent organizational and brainstorming tool for clients, helping them prepare for meetings and better understand legal terminology. However, it should be used as a supplement, not as a substitute for professional legal counsel. AI systems are trained on large databases that often contain hidden biases.

AI-generated responses may produce generalized assumptions that do not correctly apply to the specific facts of a client’s case. Overreliance on AI analysis can unintentionally skew client expectations and strategy. An attorney’s review is extremely important in case analysis, and it is our job as attorneys to analyze a matter free from bias, which is an attribute that AI systems struggle with.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is a powerful and evolving technology that clients should approach thoughtfully. When used appropriately, it can be a valuable tool for clients to enhance communication and preparation. However, clients must remain mindful of confidentiality, discoverability, privilege, credibility concerns, and overreliance. The attorney’s role remains essential, as legal representation involves strategy, judgment, advocacy, and protection – areas grounded in human experience and professional responsibility that no AI system can replicate.

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Attorney William Richter represents business and franchise clients at Dye Culik, a Charlotte-based corporate law firm. Practicing in North Carolina and South Carolina, Attorney Richter enjoys working with clients long-term to help protect them and their business through various issues and developments that arise, including dispute resolution and litigation. Connect with us and mention this article for a complimentary consultation with Attorney Richter.