5 AI security myths every legal professional should know

There’s lots to consider when it comes to AI and the legal industry:

• AI is impacting every aspect of legal work, from document management to multi-jurisdictional translations
• Navigating compliance and security aspects is critical for integrating AI tools effectively
• Our guide for legal professionals explores the key factors to consider when evaluating AI tools

AI is impacting the legal industry like never before, and the numbers speak for themselves: 61% of lawyers are already using—or planning to use—AI regularly, and 49% of in-house counsel expect their companies to adopt AI in the next year.

The fact is, AI is no longer a choice, but a strategic imperative. As Tim Hickman, Partner at White & Case, said at a recent 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’ve debunked five common myths about AI security to help you find the tools that’ll keep you safe.

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 required in the legal field. 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 meet global and local requirements, protect sensitive client data, and ensure confidentiality.

That said, the effectiveness of any AI tool also hinges on how well they’re integrated 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.”

To learn more about how AI is transforming organizations, check out the highlights from the Raconteur roundtable.

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 the sensitive nature of legal work. This assumption, however, is often rooted in outdated technology or unverified platforms.

Reputable AI providers prioritize confidentiality and secure data processing. By using features like encryption, in-memory processing, and end-to-end security, trustworthy AI tools ensure that sensitive client data remains protected, and isn’t stored or accessible after processing.

When evaluating AI tools, it’s important to consider how they’re built and trained. For instance, you should always prioritize AI tools that are designed for a single task, rather than those that attempt to do everything. 

As Sebastian Enderlein, DeepL’s CTO, puts it 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. Some legal professionals overlook broader considerations, such as data sovereignty, auditability, and ethical use when evaluating AI tools.

GDPR, for example, 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 stages of data processing. For instance, Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) requires organizations to specify the purpose of data use and obtain informed consent from individuals. 

In the US, various state-level regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) move beyond data security to incorporate rights like data access, deletion, and 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 are fully aligned with requirements across the world.

Download your guide to staying secure and compliant when choosing AI tools.

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. DeepL, for example, is specifically designed to provide accurate and context-aware translations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while safeguarding client data. 

The best results, however, are often achieved when AI is combined with human oversight. Consider, for instance, automated document creation, where AI can be used to generate drafts quickly, but the final output still requires expert review to ensure accuracy, nuance, and compliance.

This human-in-the-loop approach is also gaining traction within the legal industry as a proven way to minimize risk and enhance the accuracy of legal work. 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, demonstrating the growing trust in this blended approach.

Myth 5: all AI tools are the same

Many believe that 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. Legal professionals should carefully evaluate potential providers by asking questions like:

• Does the tool comply with GDPR and other global regulations?
• What certifications does the provider hold (e.g., ISO 27001, 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?

Make AI your competitive advantage

As a legal professional, becoming an expert in AI adoption not only helps you confidently procure these tools for your own practice, but also positions you to advise clients on how to safely integrate AI into their own operations.

Download our guide, How to stay secure and compliant when choosing AI tools, to understand 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.