Legal Data Intelligence: Built in, not bolted on

‘Legal data intelligence’ isn’t just a buzzword – it’s fast becoming the operating system for modern legal practice. Relativity’s latest moves suggest that the future belongs to those who can turn transformation into strategy.

The pace of change continues to be rapid, and the tools are more intelligent by the day, but the real shift isn’t in the tech itself – it’s in how we choose to use it. The question remains: how do we make sure we’re not just keeping up, but leading the way?

From e-Discovery to Legal Data Intelligence

At its core, e-Discovery is about reacting: something happens; we collect the data; we review it; we respond. But that’s changing. Legal Data Intelligence flips the model – it’s about being proactive, using data to shape strategy before the case even begins.

Importantly, this isn’t just a new label for existing approaches. It’s a new way of working. AI tools are surfacing connections and anomalies that would take weeks to spot manually, meaning we can start building a case from the moment data lands, not after it has been sifted through.

In addition to increased speed, you get increased agility and confidence. When you can trust the insights, you can act faster and smarter.

AI as embedded intelligence, democratised

Relativity’s aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege aren’t new. However, the announcement at Relativity Fest 2025 means that generative AI will no longer be reserved for those with deep pockets or bespoke infrastructure. It’s being democratised – made accessible, scalable, and practical for everyday use.

This matters. When AI is embedded into the platforms legal teams already rely on, it stops being a separate conversation. It becomes part of the workflow – part of the thinking, part of the strategy.

aiR for Review helps prioritise what matters. aiR for Privilege flags what needs protecting. These aren’t just efficiency gains – they’re confidence boosters. They allow teams to move faster, with more clarity, and with less second-guessing.

These tools will soon be available to a wider range of users, not just the largest firms or the most complex cases. Smaller teams, niche practices, and cross-functional groups can now access the same intelligence which levels the playing field and raises the bar.

Community-driven innovation

One of the most exciting things about this space is how collaborative it’s become. Innovation isn’t just coming from vendors – it’s coming from the people who use the tools every day. Rel Labs is a great example. It’s not just a sandbox – it’s a signal that the future of legal tech will be shaped by the community. The partnership with The LegalTech Fund shows that investment is following ideas – and that’s a good thing.

When the people closest to the problems are involved in building the solutions, the results are better. 

What this means for legal leadership

Legal leadership today doesn’t just mean managing teams, building client relationships and steering cases – it’s also about navigating transformation. One of the most significant shifts we are going to see is Relativity’s democratisation of their AI tools.

Relativity’s aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege are soon to be embedded into the platform – not as premium add-ons, but as standard capabilities available to anyone using the platform.

For leaders, this brings both opportunity and responsibility. The opportunity lies in what’s now possible – faster insight, smarter prioritisation, and more confident decision-making. The responsibility is to ensure teams are equipped to use these tools well, not just technically but strategically.

We have moved on from convincing people to adopt AI. It’s about helping them understand what’s already available, and how to use it to deliver better outcomes. That means investing in capability, fostering curiosity, and creating space for experimentation.

Leadership in this context isn’t about pushing technology – it’s about enabling intelligence. The tools are here. The intelligence is available. The challenge, and the opportunity, is: how do we make the most of them?