P2P

P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · F A L L 2 0 2 5 21 the knowledge of how stuff works and what can work well at your firm is something that can help lead your firm". This evolution reflects the transformation of technology from a mere support function to the lifeblood of legal operations. The driving force behind this shift is unmistakable: technology and business operations have become increasingly indistinguishable. Firms that embrace this reality are positioning themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape, where technological sophistication often determines market advantage. MANAGING CHANGE FATIGUE IN A RAPID-FIRE WORLD Perhaps no challenge resonates more deeply with technology leaders today than the issue of change fatigue. The session addressed the very real phenomenon of departments overwhelmed by constant requests for new tools and implementations, a situation that has become endemic across the legal industry. The solution, panelists suggested, lies in having the courage to ask "why" and understanding the business purpose behind each technology request, rather than simply responding to the fear of missing out (FOMO). This approach requires technology leaders to act as strategic filters, distinguishing between genuine business needs and the latest technological trends. The most successful CIOs are those who can balance innovation with operational stability, ensuring that change serves a clear business purpose rather than change for its own sake. The discussion of artificial intelligence adoption revealed a nuanced reality far from the "one solution to solve it all" mentality that often dominates discussions about technology. Jim McKenna introduced a compelling metaphor that reframes how law firms should approach AI implementation: Olympic rings versus the Lord of the Rings approach. "You will have multiple rings," McKenna explained. "The goal isn't to have all the rings. But like the Olympic logo, you're going to have a number of rings that overlap, and they work with each other." This multi-tool approach acknowledges that different AI solutions excel at various tasks, and successful firms will orchestrate multiple specialized tools rather than waiting for a single, comprehensive solution. The inevitability of AI's impact is no longer in question; the conversation has shifted to managing the "what" and "how." Some firms are finding success by initially focusing on the business of law rather than the practice of law, using administrative functions as a testing ground for AI implementation before expanding to legal work. This strategy enables firms to establish confidence and expertise in lower-risk environments while developing the organizational capabilities required for more complex applications. The security implications of AI advancement painted a sobering picture during the session. Attendees witnessed a live demonstration of deep fake technology. The ability to mimic voices and appearances with increasing sophistication creates unprecedented social engineering risks, particularly for help desk operations and password management systems. The threat landscape extends far beyond traditional hacking approaches. Access to calendar information, project names, and meeting agendas can provide valuable intelligence without requiring actual data theft, creating ILTA PULSE @ ILTACON Check out the stories and news from ILTACON 2025. iltanet.org/pulse/iltacon/2025 ó

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