P2P

P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 65 com/2025/10/13/the-ai-culture- clash-ai-integration-lags-behind- the-hype/). In a risk-averse field, this caution is understandable yet carries its own risks. Hesitation amplifies the risk of falling behind as competitors move forward responsibly. The paradox for legal leaders is evident: speed without governance is dangerous, but slowing innovation without a plan can be equally risky. Governance can serve as the bridge between these two imperatives. When done well, it becomes the foundation for responsible experimentation, faster adoption, and sustainable competitive advantage. THREE REASONS TO FOCUS ON GOVERNANCE NOW Lawyers balance risk, responsibility, and competence. Yet many still view governance as a brake pedal or compliance burden that slows experimentation. Modern governance should function as a flexible, frictionless infrastructure. Instead of rigid protocols, thoughtful, adaptive principles provide teams with clarity on data use, human oversight, and vendor standards, accelerating responsible AI adoption. Teams can explore AI tools knowing safeguards are in place to prevent lasting harm. With a responsible AI framework, legal teams can confidently answer critical questions like: • What information can AI access and retain? • When is human oversight required, and how is it documented? • How will accuracy, defensibility, and bias be measured? • What evidence must vendors provide around security and ROI? GUARDRAILS ACCELERATE INNOVATION There is a perception that innovation thrives in unstructured environments, where the imagination can run wild in the absence of rules. Nevertheless, in reality, innovation thrives with clearly defined guardrails and constraints. In the legal world, governance permits teams to explore AI tools without fear of missteps or ethical exposure. Without that structure, ad-hoc experimentation can quickly drift into shadow AI, where employees quietly test general- purpose AI tools, input confidential content, and unknowingly introduce security, privilege, and defensibility risks. Lawyers are right to be wary, but avoidance is not the solution. The paradox for legal leaders is evident: speed without governance is dangerous, but slowing innovation without a plan can be equally risky.

• Cover