As artificial intelligence solutions flood the legal technology market, the focus is shifting from chasing one-size-fits-all tools to building outcome-driven, contextual systems that genuinely support business needs, according to Shailesh Kumar, Associate Director – Sales at SpotDraft.
Speaking to ETLegalWorld on the sidelines of the third edition of ETLegalWorld’s Global Legal Convention 2026, Kumar said AI should be viewed as a horizontal intelligence layer that cuts across traditional legal verticals such as contract lifecycle management, IP management and litigation, rather than as a single tool that can do everything at once.
Watch Here: Shailesh Kumar, Associate Director – Sales, SpotDraft, speaks with ETLegalWorld
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Kumar said. “Legal teams need to go back to the drawing board, understand their business objectives, and then evaluate AI solutions against those outcomes. In some cases, one tool may work; in others, two or three tools together might make more sense—and that’s perfectly fine.”
On evaluating AI solutions, Kumar stressed the importance of context. While AI models are becoming increasingly powerful learning engines, he said their true value lies in augmenting human decision-making rather than replacing it. “AI will keep getting better, but context, judgement and real-time decision-making still come from humans. As long as people are running businesses, AI will assist lawyers, not replace them,” he said.
Drawing an analogy, Kumar compared AI adoption to productivity investments that continue to generate value even when users are offline. “It helps you become productive even while you are asleep,” he noted.
Reflecting on his participation in the convention, Kumar said the discussions highlighted how closer alignment between legal and business teams is fast becoming a competitive advantage. “What was once a ‘good to have’ is soon going to be a necessity for organisations that want to win consistently,” he said, adding that the quality of dialogue and networking at the event had improved with each edition.
The third edition of ETLegalWorld’s Global Legal Convention 2026, themed “Law Goes Digital: The Rise of the Digital Lawyer“, brought together India’s top legal minds for a deep look at how digital technology is changing the profession on March 13 and 14, 2026, in Mumbai. This two‑day event combined keynotes, panel discussions, awards, and networking to tackle real‑world shifts.
This flagship two‑day event convened a distinguished gathering of industry leaders and legal luminaries, underscoring India’s emergence as a global technology powerhouse. The event featured prestigious awards recognising outstanding legal excellence, keynote addresses by eminent members of the judiciary, and interactive sessions that integrate corporate strategy with regulatory foresight.
