Cutting Through AI Noise: What’s Delivering Real Impact Today

On Wednesday 8 July 2026, we hosted our second AI-focused event in collaboration with Polsinelli.

Keen to try something new, we opted for a roundtable and networking format, bringing together a curated group of C-suite leaders, general counsel, in-house lawyers and senior decision-makers for a practical discussion on how AI is delivering measurable business value today and where it will create competitive advantage tomorrow.

Participants explored the realities of AI adoption, covering productivity, operational efficiency, client service, governance and risk management. The focus throughout was firmly on practical insights, real-world outcomes and the steps organisations are taking to move from experimentation to meaningful adoption of AI.

The evening was structured around five facilitated discussion tables, each led by an experienced industry expert:

•    Michelle McMullen – US Patent Attorney, Polsinelli

•    Max Freeman-Inglis – Legal Operations Manager, Alliance Pharmaceuticals

•    Arne Mosselman – Founder, CEO & GenAI Strategist, Ainigma

•    Jan Koopmann – Head of Service Design, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

•    Andy Newland – IT Director, Mewburn Ellis

Questions Explored

1. Where is AI creating real operational efficiency, and where does it simply make existing processes faster without making them better?
   
   
2. If AI makes professional and commercial services faster, how should organisations rethink value, pricing and client service?
   
   
3. What does it really mean to embed AI into a business, rather than simply deploy AI tools?
   
   
4. How can organisations scale AI responsibly while managing legal, regulatory, data and reputational risk?

Insights

One of the most striking observations from the evening was the consistency of the discussions across all five tables. While participants from different sectors and backgrounds, there was broad agreement that AI adoption is not primarily a technology challenge. Success depends on organisations getting the people, processes and governance foundations right.

The clearest message to emerge was that the organisations creating the most value are not simply deploying AI tools. They're embedding it into the way they work while maintaining the trust, expertise and accountability that clients expect and that people are at the heart of this.

Five Key Takeaways 

1.  AI adoption is no longer optional – but successful adoption requires more than access to tools
   
   Across all discussions, there was broad agreement that organisations and individuals who fail to embrace AI risk falling behind. However, simply deploying AI tools is not enough. Success depends on embedding AI into workflows, developing employee capability, establishing governance frameworks, and creating a culture that encourages responsible experimentation.
   
   

2. Human expertise remains the critical differentiator
   
   While AI is delivering significant efficiencies in research, drafting, analysis and information retrieval, no group believed it could replace professional judgement. The consistent view was that AI should augment expertise, not replace it. The ability to interpret, challenge and validate AI outputs remains essential, particularly in professional and regulated environments.
   
   

3. Trust, accountability and ownership are becoming more important, not less
   
   As AI-generated outputs become more sophisticated, participants repeatedly stressed that responsibility remains with the individual or organisation using the technology. "Whatever leaves your desk is yours" was a recurring sentiment. Future competitive advantage will come not from producing work faster, but from producing work that clients trust.
   
   

4. Governance, security and risk management must evolve alongside AI adoption
   
   Many discussions focused on the importance of managing confidentiality, cybersecurity, data protection and regulatory obligations. Organisations need clear AI policies, approved tools, robust vendor due diligence and a "human-in-the-loop" approach to ensure that efficiency gains do not come at the expense of compliance, security or reputation.
   
   

5. AI is reshaping professional services and client expectations
   
   Participants anticipated fundamental changes in how professional services are delivered. Clients are increasingly expecting faster responses, greater efficiency and more self-service capabilities. As routine work becomes automated, value will increasingly lie in strategic advice, trusted judgement, risk management and the ability to combine AI-enabled efficiency with human insight.

Following the discussions, attendees continued conversations during an informal networking session, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and new connections.

A huge thank you to Polsinelli, our table hosts, attendees and everyone involved in delivering the event.

Participants anticipated fundamental changes in how professional services are delivered. Clients are increasingly expecting faster responses, greater efficiency and more self-service capabilities. As routine work becomes automated, value will increasingly lie in strategic advice, trusted judgement, risk management and the ability to combine AI-enabled efficiency with human insight