Clifford Chance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming legal services and the wider services industry. As a global law firm, we are committed to maintain the highest professional standards around our use of AI, that protects our clients, adheres to the law, and enhances the quality of our legal services to our clients.

During the year ended 30 April 2024 (FY24), we expanded our use of generative AI with the deployment of Microsoft Copilot for M365, Microsoft Viva Suite, Microsoft Teams Premium and our own private and secured AI tool, Clifford Chance Assist, developed on Microsoft's Azure OpenAI platform. All colleagues at Clifford Chance have access to these tools.

By the end of April 2024, we were already seeing positive adoption rates (more than 60% daily adoption). Deployment, however, is only part of the solution. The key is safe, secure and pervasive adoption for all roles across the firm. Steps undertaken during FY24 helped us to achieve that.

AI Principles and Policy framework

During FY24 we designed and introduced our AI Principles, which are integral to the comprehensive Policy framework that guides our use of AI. Taken together, our AI Principles and Policy framework aligns with international best practices, and is grounded in fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy.

Our AI Principles are; Act with Integrity, Design for Confidentiality and Privacy, Use AI Responsibly, Build Securely and Engage Openly. Visit our About Us section to read more about our AI Principles.

AI Governance

With the latest AI advances, we revised our governance and introduced a new AI & Innovation Board. We also set up AI Steering Groups in every practice area and business professional functions, with a diverse representation on each of those groups to consider how AI might be applied in their respective work, in compliance with our AI Principles & Policy.

The AI Steering Groups collectively identified 400+ AI use cases to be reviewed against our policy and prioritised for scaling up into firm-wide delivery. Internal case studies showcased the wide range of responsible usage of new technologies in action.

Enhancing the technology skills of our people

Our goal is for everyone in the firm, in every role, to use – and appropriately to supervise the use of – technology, including generative AI, competently, effectively and responsibly. To achieve this, we are investing in our people's technology skills through a comprehensive training & development programme that prioritises our AI Principles and Policy framework.

We have introduced a mandatory eLearning module on our AI Principles and Policy framework. Additionally, there are 12 learning modules on the topic of generative AI to ensure that our people understand this technology so they can make the most of the individual tools made available.

Each new technology roll out is accompanied by learning opportunities that include eLearning modules, classroom sessions, interactive virtual training, and case studies. Long-established technology specialists embedded within teams have been upskilled to provide advanced first- hand experience in AI adoption.

'Tech Hubs' like those in our Amsterdam, London, New York, and Paris offices enable people to drop in for advice. In the short space of time from its launch on 20 March 2024 to 30 April 2024, the 'Tech Hub' in London saw 1,675 visits.

Increasingly, technological advancement is a formal component of continuous professional development. Providing lawyers at every stage of their career, from entry-level through to senior associate and partner, with the skills and knowledge they need to make the most of the technologies and resources available to deliver their work is the responsible thing to do.

In addition to driving our own responsible adoption of technology, Clifford Chance is advising clients on how to articulate their ethics principles and approach to AI. The advice covers looking at their governance structures and the need to address AI risks – and opportunities – including at board level and disseminating across the business.