In 2026, artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging technology at the margins of legal practice. It is embedded in how lawyers research, draft, summarize, analyze, and communicate. An estimated 10 per cent of humanity now uses AI tools weekly, while ChatGPT alone reportedly receives approximately 4.5 billion monthly visits and 2.5 billion prompts per day. The reality is simple: AI is already in our practices - whether formally approved or not.
The rise of “shadow AI” presents a particular challenge for public lawyers and regulated professionals. Shadow AI refers to the use of AI tools without organizational approval, oversight, or governance. Recent research conducted by BlackFog found that 49 per cent of workers report using AI tools without employer approval, often through free public platforms that may expose sensitive data. Gartner reported in late 2025 that 59 per cent of organizations suspect or have evidence that employees are using prohibited public generative AI tools. Alarmingly, only 47 per cent of organizations have implemented dedicated security controls for generative AI. The pattern is clear: employee AI adoption is significantly outpacing organizational governance and risk controls.