5 AI security myths every legal professional should know
Key Takeaways
- AI is transforming legal work, with 61% of lawyers already using or planning to use it regularly.
- Reputable AI providers meet strict standards like GDPR, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type II, debunking the myth that AI can't serve regulated industries.
- Trustworthy AI tools protect confidentiality through encryption, in-memory processing, and end-to-end security, without storing sensitive data.
- Compliance extends beyond data security to data sovereignty, auditability, and consent under frameworks like GDPR, APPI, and CCPA.
- A human-in-the-loop approach is gaining traction, with 51% of legal respondents now enhancing translations with AI.
- AI tools vary widely in security, so legal teams should evaluate providers on certifications, data handling, and compliance before adoption.
AI is affecting the legal industry like never before, and the numbers speak for themselves:
- 61% of lawyers are already using—or plan to use—AI regularly.
- 49% of in-house counsel expect their companies to adopt AI in the next year.
The fact is that AI is no longer a choice but a strategic imperative. As Tim Hickman, partner at White & Case, said at a 2024 Raconteur roundtable, “AI is set to reshape the legal profession and make lawyers better at their jobs.”
Yet one major hurdle always stands in the way of successful adoption: compliance and security. The fear of mishandling sensitive client data or inadvertently breaching regulatory requirements brings reluctance around AI adoption, despite the potential.
So, how can you overcome these challenges?
We’re debunking five common myths about AI security for legal teams to help you find tools that keep your data safe.
Learn how DeepL secures and protects your data.
Myth 1. AI tools aren’t suited for highly regulated industries
One of the most common myths is that AI tools can’t meet the rigorous compliance standards the legal field requires. In fact, the opposite is true.
Many AI providers build their platforms to comply with strict regulations, such as GDPR, as well as certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II.
Modern AI tools are specifically designed with compliance management in mind. By reviewing these certifications, legal teams can confidently deploy AI solutions that make the grade:
- Meet global and local requirements
- Protect sensitive client data
- Ensure confidentiality
That said, the effectiveness of any AI tool hinges on how well the user integrates it into day-to-day tasks.
As Joy Uzuegbu, product marketing lead at DeepL, emphasized during the Raconteur roundtable, “You need to educate employees and make sure everyone understands their responsibilities to ensure accuracy and security, as well as compliance with regulation around the world.”
View highlights from the Raconteur roundtable to learn more about how AI is transforming organizations.
Myth 2. AI can compromise client data
Some legal professionals worry that integrating AI tools into their workflows will compromise the confidentiality of client information. This is understandable, given legal work’s sensitive nature. However, this assumption is often rooted in outdated technology or unverified platforms.
Reputable legal AI providers prioritize confidentiality and secure data processing. Trustworthy AI tools ensure sensitive client data remains protected and isn’t stored or accessible after processing via features like these:
- Encryption
- In-memory processing
- End-to-end security
When evaluating legal AI tools, it’s important to consider how companies build and train them. For example, always prioritize AI tools designed for a single task rather than those that attempt to do everything.
As Sebastian Enderlein, DeepL’s chief technology officer (CTO), said in DeepL’s 2025 Language AI Report:
“Rather than test for everything, DeepL focuses on testing the tasks its models are meant to address. Over time, as we continually improve our models, this focused testing ensures best-in-class quality and vastly reduces unwanted behavior.”
Myth 3. Compliance is just about data security
While data security is an important aspect of compliance, it's not the whole picture. When evaluating AI tools, some legal professionals overlook broader considerations, such as data sovereignty, auditability, and ethical use.
For example, GDPR addresses not only data security but also data minimization, transparency, and user consent.
Other regulatory frameworks emphasize the importance of confidentiality and compliance management at all data processing stages.
For example, Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) requires organizations to do these things:
- Specify the purpose of data use.
- Obtain informed consent from individuals.
In the U.S., various state-level regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) move beyond data security to incorporate more rights:
- Data access
- Data deletion
- The choice to opt out of the sale of personal data
By choosing AI tools that meet these holistic compliance criteria, legal teams can ensure they fully align with global requirements.
Download the legal professional’s guide to safe AI adoption.
Myth 4. AI tools can’t be trusted for high-stakes legal work
Given the risk and responsibility involved in legal work, some worry that relying on AI for tasks like document review, case preparation, or regulatory translation could lead to critical errors.
AI tools undergo rigorous testing and continuous training to ensure high levels of accuracy and reliability, particularly when handling complex legal terminology.
For example, we at DeepL specifically design our tools to provide accurate and context-aware translations. This ensures compliance with regulatory standards while safeguarding client data.
However, you often achieve the best results when you combine AI with human oversight. Consider automated document creation, where you can use AI to generate drafts quickly. The final output still requires expert review to ensure accuracy, nuance, and compliance.
This human-in-the-loop approach is gaining traction within the legal industry as a proven way to minimize risk and enhance accuracy. In DeepL’s study of 780 global business leaders, 51% of respondents in the legal sector said they now enhance in-house translations with AI technology.
Clearly, trust in this blended approach is growing.
Myth 5. All AI tools are the same
Many believe AI solutions offer similar levels of security and compliance, leading to decisions based solely on cost or convenience. This can result in choosing tools that are poorly equipped to handle sensitive legal data.
AI tools vary widely in terms of security features, certifications, and adherence to regulations.
That’s why legal professionals should carefully evaluate potential providers by asking questions like these:
- Does the tool comply with GDPR and other global regulations?
- What certifications does the provider hold (such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II)?
- How does the tool handle data processing and storage?
- Does the tool offer single sign-on (SSO) for secure and streamlined user access?
See how top professional services firms are using Language AI for multilingual communication.
Your next steps for safe AI adoption and a competitive edge
As a legal professional, becoming an expert in AI adoption helps you confidently procure these tools for your own practice. It also positions you to advise clients on how to safely integrate AI into their own operations.
Two DeepL guides help you along your way:
You’ll learn how to evaluate the right AI platform for your business. You’ll also learn how DeepL’s Language AI solutions can help you expand your legal expertise around the world—safely and securely.
More than 200,000 global enterprises trust DeepL’s specialized Language AI tools: Read their stories.
Give your legal teams an AI advantage they can trust
Compliance concerns shouldn't hold your legal team back from AI's many advantages. We build DeepL's specialized Language AI suite for the accuracy, security, and confidentiality legal work demands:
- Translator for precise multilingual document review
- Write for polished client-facing communication
- Voice for real-time interpretation in depositions, client calls, cross-border negotiations, and more
- API for integrating secure translation directly into your existing legal tech stack
Contact Sales to see how DeepL can support your legal team’s global communications.