A survey reveals that while AI legal services are gaining traction, trust remains conditional, with respondents seeking significant discounts for full AI-based representation

A recent survey conducted by Robin AI and Perspectus Global has revealed that the United Kingdom is more receptive to the idea of artificial intelligence in the legal sector compared to the United States. The study, which involved 4,152 respondents from both countries, found that almost one in three people would consider allowing a robot lawyer to represent them in court, though trust in these AI lawyers remains cautious and conditional.

The survey highlighted that while there is an openness to AI in legal settings, trust in fully automated legal representation is still limited. Only 4% of respondents expressed complete trust in AI for legal advice, while 69% preferred traditional lawyers. Interestingly, 27% were open to using AI as a support tool, but only under human supervision.

Despite growing acceptance of AI in specific legal tasks like reviewing rental contracts (49%), drafting wills (47%), and contesting parking fines (46%), the survey found a clear decline in trust for more complex legal matters. For instance, only 17% would trust AI with a divorce case, demonstrating the public’s reluctance to allow AI to handle intricate and personal legal issues.

Richard Robinson, CEO of Robin AI, noted that the legal industry is undergoing significant change, driven by consumer demand for faster, more affordable legal help. However, he emphasised the need to preserve human judgment in the process. “People are looking for faster and more affordable legal help, but they do not want to sacrifice human judgment. We believe in human-led AI to increase access without losing accountability,” Robinson said.

The survey also revealed that the primary motivations for using AI-based legal services include lower costs (47%), availability at all hours (35%), and faster case resolution (35%). However, while the benefits are clear, trust remains a hurdle. To encourage people to opt for AI instead of a human lawyer, respondents indicated they would require an average discount of 57%.

The findings also showed differences in attitudes toward AI between the UK and the US. While both nations recognise the need for safety and compliance training for AI, support was notably higher in the UK, where 82% of respondents endorsed such training, compared to 76% in the US. On the other hand, respondents in the US were more likely to trust large corporate law firms using AI, with 13% approving of AI in these settings, compared to just 8% in the UK.

These results reflect a broader trend toward acceptance of AI across various sectors, though the legal industry’s slow-moving nature and the personal stakes involved in legal matters have led to cautious optimism. As AI continues to evolve, it seems clear that the future of legal services will likely feature a blend of human and AI involvement, with a clear focus on maintaining accountability and ensuring the integrity of the legal process.