Legal Innovation Spotlight 78 - Why Engineering Thinks Differently About AI and What Law Can Learn from It with Jan Van Hoecke
Jul 23, 2025
Jan Van Hoecke, VP of Product Management and AI Services at iManage, shares his expertise in AI's role within legal tech. He delves into the early fascination with AI and its evolution, contrasting the cautious approach of legal professionals to the innovative spirit in software engineering. Jan discusses the impact of data hygiene on AI integration and the shifting dynamics in R&D among law firms as they navigate the balance between profits and innovation. His insights shed light on how AI can genuinely transform legal practices.
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Early AI Practical Example
- Jan Van Hoecke shared his early experience working at a steel company where he used AI for corrosion detection on steel plates.
- This practical application replaced a manual evaluation process, surprising his colleague who welcomed the efficiency gain.
AI Adoption Varies by Profession
- AI adoption shows striking differences between engineers and legal professionals, with engineers often adopting tools like GitHub Copilot instantly.
- Despite mixed efficiency impacts, 90% of AI-using developers feel more fulfilled in their jobs, which contrasts with legal professionals' more cautious uptake.
Encourage AI Experimentation
- Legal teams should encourage in-house experimentation with AI by allocating budgets to test various vendors and tools.
- Understanding product constraints and finding what works within those limits is key to AI integration.