As the legal industry continues to evolve, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in e-discovery is expanding far beyond the traditional realm of document review. At Legalweek 2025, I had the privilege of participating in the thought-provoking panel, “Thinking Beyond Document Review: Examining AI’s Expanded Role in Modern Discovery,” explored how AI is reshaping the discovery process, helping legal teams streamline workflows, gain strategic advantages, and make data-driven decisions in ways that were once unimaginable. Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
Reframing the Role of AI in Discovery
Traditionally, AI in e-discovery has been closely associated with document review, with technology-assisted review (TAR) having become the industry standard for efficiently reviewing documents and identifying relevant information. However, as AI tools advance, their capabilities have broadened to include areas such as early case assessment (ECA), analytics, and strategy formulation.
Kathleen McConnell, a partner in Seyfarth’s data law group, emphasized that AI is now not just a tool for automating manual processes but a partner in identifying key issues and formulating case strategy.
McConnell noted. “Today, we’re using [AI]to assess cases early, identify patterns, and spot issues that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, ultimately providing a strategic advantage.”
From a service provider’s perspective, this is an exciting new frontier. At Integreon, we’re seeing AI tools being integrated into early case assessment, custodian targeting, and even identifying key players early in the case lifecycle. All of these use cases can result in better litigation and settlement strategy and a more efficient approach.
Streamlining Complex Workflows with AI
A significant theme throughout the discussion was how AI is streamlining complex workflows, driving efficiencies, and reducing the burden on legal teams. AI’s ability to automate mundane and time-consuming tasks is enabling lawyers to focus on high-value work.
Melissa Dalziel, discovery counsel at Alston & Bird, shared an example where AI was instrumental in optimizing privilege review. “We applied AI to conduct a relevance review to provide focus, and then did a manual privilege review,” Dalziel explained. “This resulted in a quicker turnaround.”
Todd Itami, director of artificial intelligence and e-discovery solutions at Covington, echoed this sentiment. “AI has significantly reduced the time and complexity of the discovery process, particularly when dealing with massive volumes of data. It’s not just about speeding up document review; AI is also solving the problem of identifying which documents are truly relevant and worth reviewing,” he noted. However, Itami also raised a cautionary point about the potential for AI to create new challenges, such as reliance on incomplete or biased datasets.
AI as a Strategic Partner in Litigation
Beyond operational efficiencies, AI is proving to be a powerful strategic partner in litigation. As legal teams increasingly rely on AI for insights, the technology enables them to make proactive decisions and develop more effective case strategies.
McConnell explained that AI is helping litigators identify trends, timelines, and connections that shape case theories. “AI can surface hidden patterns in data that might not be obvious to the human eye, providing critical insights that can influence the direction of the case or negotiation strategy,” McConnell noted. “This ability to leverage data to anticipate outcomes is becoming a game-changer.”
At Integreon, we are seeing clients use AI to not just reactively review documents but to proactively shape their discovery strategy. AI is shifting the conversation from defensive to strategic; clients are using AI to anticipate issues, identify gaps, and shape their discovery approach in ways that provide them with a tactical advantage in litigation.
Risk, Buy-In, and Real-World Adoption
Despite the growing enthusiasm for AI in discovery, adoption remains a challenge. One of the key hurdles is gaining buy-in from stakeholders within firms and legal departments. As Dalziel explained, “A lot of it comes down to risk management and defensibility. Legal teams are rightfully cautious about adopting new technology, so the conversation often centers around the risks involved, particularly around compliance and the defensibility of AI-driven decisions.”
Itami emphasized the importance of demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI in discovery, especially in high-pressure cases. “While lawyers are increasingly driving the adoption of AI, clients are starting to ask for it as well. They see it as a way to reduce costs and improve accuracy,” he said. However, Itami noted that misconceptions about AI, such as concerns over its potential to replace human judgment, continue to be a barrier to broader acceptance.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Discovery
The panel concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the future potential of AI in discovery. As AI continues to evolve, its role in legal work is only expected to expand. Legal professionals are increasingly recognizing that AI is not a replacement for human expertise, but a valuable tool to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
The discussion at Legalweek 2025 made one thing clear: AI is no longer just about document review. It is becoming an integral part of the entire e-discovery lifecycle—helping legal teams assess cases early, streamline workflows, gain strategic insights, and make data-driven decisions that improve case outcomes.
At Integreon, we are at the forefront of this transformation, helping our clients leverage AI to navigate the complexities of modern discovery. As the legal industry embraces AI’s expanded capabilities, we remain committed to providing innovative solutions that drive efficiency, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable value.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore the evolving role of AI in legal discovery and how it will shape the future of legal work.
Want to learn more?
If you’re interested in how AI can enhance your legal workflows, reach out to Integreon’s expert team today.