DLA Piper has signed an agreement with technology company Kira Systems to give its lawyers access to the company's artificial intelligence (AI) software.

The deal marks DLA Piper's first use of AI technology and means DLA Piper's lawyers will be able to use Kira Systems' machine-learning software for document review in M&A due diligence.

DLA has piloted Kira's software in deals handled by its corporate, IP and IT practices and now plans to roll out the system to its corporate lawyers worldwide.

The firm aims to use Kira in other practice areas by teaching it to identify provisions needed for contract review in other areas.

Jonathan Klein, chair of DLA Piper's US M&A practice, said: "We believe that this innovative technology will do for corporate transactional work what e-discovery has done for litigation. It will not only make due diligence faster and more efficient, but will mitigate risk throughout the process, all of which are important benefits for our clients and the firm."

In March, Kira Systems signed a deal with Deloitte allowing the Big Four accountancy firm to use its machine-learning technology to review documents related to M&A deals, investigations and contract management.

Last month, magic circle firm Linklaters announced a deal with technology company RAVN to use its services for a number of automated tasks.

DLA is currently looking to expand the remit of its service delivery arm, the group that deals with areas such as knowledge management, legal project management, legal delivery centres, flexible lawyering, machine learning and AI.

Stephen Allen, head of the service delivery and quality (SDQ) group, left the firm in March and the firm is currently recruiting for his replacement, who will be tasked with the expansion of the SDQ to other parts of the business.

The firm is currently going through a redundancy consultation in the UK, with 200 business support staff jobs at risk. Some of the roles are being moved to the firm's new services centre in Warsaw, while other roles are being replaced by the automation of certain back-office functions.