At a recent Singapore Ministry of Law conference attended by nearly 900 lawyers, Edwin Tong highlighted the rapid progress of the legal sector and the opportunities emerging through artificial intelligence (AI). However, questions raised by participants reflected growing concern over client retention, the survival of hourly billing, and the future of legal roles as AI tools increasingly take over routine work. With studies showing that up to 44% of legal tasks can be automated, new graduates and junior associates face reduced employment prospects and fewer opportunities to develop foundational skills.
AI-driven platforms are already transforming legal operations by generating research memos, reviewing agreements and conducting due diligence in seconds. Basic legal documents such as NDAs, supply contracts and standard loan agreements can now be produced by clients themselves using AI, while predictive systems analyze litigation outcomes by reviewing millions of cases. This shift is pushing universities to revise curricula, emphasizing analytical reasoning, application of law and AI literacy. Law firms are also being urged to adopt more hands-on and accelerated training models to prepare graduates for senior-level responsibilities earlier in their careers.
Small law firms may benefit significantly, as AI tools can perform research and drafting at a level that previously required multiple junior lawyers, reducing manpower costs and allowing smaller practices to compete with larger firms. This technological shift is encouraging the profession to move toward value-based billing rather than hourly rates, while also prompting discussions about ethical safeguards as AI becomes more deeply integrated into legal services. Industry leaders stress that widespread AI adoption is essential to maintain efficiency, ensure access to justice and prepare the legal profession for the structural changes ahead.
