Is your legal assistant about to be replaced by a robot?

Legal AI tools threaten to disrupt paralegal roles, but experts say humans are far from obsolete.

A digital revolution is sweeping through the legal world—and paralegals are squarely in the crosshairs.

From drafting contracts to reviewing endless documents, these once-indispensable legal aides now find themselves sharing tasks with tireless algorithms. But does the rise of artificial intelligence spell doom for paralegals—or a chance to redefine their future?

Robin Ghurbhurun, a senior figure on the Governing Board of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), believes the panic is premature. “A human interface with AI will be essential for the foreseeable future,” he says. Far from being replaced, paralegals are poised to evolve—and possibly lead—the legal tech transition.

The statistics are startling. Experts estimate that up to 40% of a typical paralegal’s day could be automated using current AI tools. In a profession rooted in precision, speed, and information management, such efficiency promises major cost savings. But it also ignites anxiety: what happens to those whose jobs rely on the very tasks AI is taking over?

Ghurbhurun insists the answer lies in transformation, not termination. “Paralegals will shift toward providing nuanced, business-led advice,” he predicts. Rather than simply collating data, they’ll take on more strategic responsibilities—managing quality control, optimising contracts, and navigating AI outputs.

A surprising twist? Paralegals could soon become prompt engineers—professionals trained to instruct AI in ways that ensure legally accurate, high-quality responses. It may sound like science fiction, but in reality, it’s a fast-emerging discipline requiring deep legal knowledge paired with an understanding of machine learning.

In law, the margin for error is razor-thin. A sloppy AI prompt can lead to dangerously misleading outputs. But a well-crafted one can transform contract analysis, due diligence, and legal research—saving firms time, money, and headaches. That’s why, Ghurbhurun argues, paralegals are uniquely suited to straddle the legal and technological divide.

But there are still risks.

Ghurbhurun points to AI’s tendency to “hallucinate”—producing inaccurate or entirely fictitious claims. One notorious case involved ChatGPT falsely accusing a US law professor of sexual harassment and even fabricating a Washington Post article to back it up. “This is where the human paralegal comes in,” he says. “They’re essential to verify facts and catch AI errors before they cause real-world damage.”

Beyond vetting AI responses, paralegals can spot fraudulent transactions, identify AI-generated phishing scams, and assess who bears legal responsibility when AI goes wrong—the creator or the user. In these grey zones, no machine can yet rival human judgment.

So, how should today’s paralegals gear up for tomorrow?

Ghurbhurun advises ditching the gimmicks and focusing on practical AI applications. “Paralegals often understand the day-to-day operations of a firm better than anyone,” he says. “They’re in a perfect position to champion AI tools that actually work.”

He sees a future where paralegals act as both watchdogs and innovators, shaping AI policy while ensuring the tech serves—not replaces—the profession. Those who adapt could end up not just surviving, but thriving in the AI era.

But the message is clear: ignore AI at your peril. The legal world is changing fast, and paralegals must evolve with it—or risk being left behind.