AI at Legal IT events
Stop FOMO, start thinking
Are you truly ready for AI?
Last month, Marcel Lang, Bart van Wanroij, and Helmer van Maarschalkerweerd attended several LegalTech events in Germany and Scandinavia, including the Nordic Legal Tech Day, TechTorget, and the LegalTech Summit. These events were packed with discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration into document management systems (DMS). What stood out to us most? The enormous focus on AI and the urgency offices feel to jump in because of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). But… is your DMS truly ready for AI? Here are our main takeaways.
“Garbage in, garbage out—if you don’t pay attention to your data, AI won’t give you valuable insights either.”
– Marcel
AI is Hot, but is Your DMS Ready for Copilot?
Marcel: “At every event, we saw the same thing: AI is everywhere, but few firms seem to stop and consider whether their workspace, like the DMS, is ready for Generative AI and tools like Copilot.” Many legal professionals are making quick decisions about AI tools without critically evaluating their own systems and permissions. This can lead to issues if sensitive data isn’t properly protected or managed.
The key advice we shared at these events? Before investing in AI solutions, ensure your DMS is properly prepared. Without a strong foundation, you end up with “Garbage in, garbage out.” A well-structured DMS helps AI perform better by, for example, automatically filling in metadata and identifying sensitive information.
AI Starts with Good Data: Ensure Your Foundation is
Helmer: “One of the biggest misconceptions we encountered is that AI can solve everything. This is true to some extent, but only if the basics—like your DMS—are in order.” Many firms don’t consider where their data is stored, who has access to it, and how they ensure that sensitive information is correctly classified. Without these fundamental steps, AI simply won’t function optimally.
In our knowledge sessions at these events, Marcel Lang and Bart van Wanroij dove deeper into these themes. With Epona’s years of experience in Microsoft 365 environments, AI, and (sensitive) data, we are uniquely positioned to help firms prepare their data and permissions for an AI-ready future.
“Before you put your data into an AI tool, ask the right questions. You don’t want to end up renting back your own data.”
– Bart van Wanroij
FOMO and the Risks of Rushed AI Decisions
At every event, it was clear that FOMO plays a major role in the rapid adoption of AI. Bart van Wanroij already highlighted this during an earlier roundtable discussion on AI: “Many firms are readily importing their valuable data into AI tools without asking the right questions. In a way, you’re renting back your own data.” It is essential that firms ask the right questions of AI providers, such as how they handle data anonymization and where this data is stored.
Without these questions, you risk handing over your data and sensitive information to parties that may not handle it carefully. Our advice? Think carefully about the AI tools you want to implement and make sure they align with your internal processes and your DMS.
“We’re seeing more and more firms moving to Microsoft-based solutions. The integration with AI offers unparalleled possibilities.”
– Helmer
From Experience: Our Approach Works
Helmer: “What was clear at these events is that our story is being taken more seriously. Where we were once invited simply to fill out the shortlist, we’re now proactively approached by in-house IT departments who know we have a strong case.” Our approach—based on Microsoft technology—clearly resonates in the market. We’re seeing more and more firms, including major players, considering a full commitment to Microsoft-based solutions. Not only because of the familiarity with the software but also because AI integration within this environment offers unparalleled possibilities.
Marcel adds: “Many firms currently working with iManage on-premise are now about to move to the cloud. This is the moment to decide: do they stay with iManage, or do they consider an alternative? What we saw at the events is that more of these firms are seriously considering switching to Epona. Our Microsoft-based solution offers enormous advantages, especially when it comes to AI integration.”
Betting on Microsoft
More and more CFOs and IT departments are choosing to bet on the ‘Microsoft horse’. This is largely due to the strong integration of Microsoft 365 with AI solutions, like Copilot. This seamless integration allows firms to make optimal use of their existing Microsoft environment without additional costs for external storage or complex migrations.
“Our Microsoft-based DMS provides firms with the flexibility and innovation they need for the future, especially now that AI is becoming increasingly important in daily practice,” concludes Marcel.
Our Role as a Knowledge Partner: AI within Your Firm
What stood out most to us at the events was that many legal professionals are seeking knowledge. This year’s sessions weren’t focused on sales pitches but on genuine, substantive discussions. This gave us the chance to share our vision on the future of AI in legal processes. We see it as our responsibility to help firms understand what AI can mean for them, how they can minimize risks, and how they can take the right steps to successfully implement AI.
Marcel: “Our knowledge sessions were a big hit, precisely because we inform firms about the practical use of AI within Microsoft 365 and DMS. It’s not just about the hype of Copilot, but about what you truly want to achieve with AI.”
Conclusion: The Future is AI, but First Build a Solid Foundation
The main advice we took from these events? Don’t rush into AI. Make sure your DMS is ready for the future and take the time to understand what you want to achieve with AI. The technology offers unparalleled possibilities, but only if the foundation is strong.
Want to know more?
Curious about how your firm can be future-ready with AI and a good DMS? Read our latest whitepaper on Artificial Intelligence & Document Management Systems or get in touch for a conversation!
Download the whitepaper “Artificial Intelligence & Document Management Systems” here.