Most legal professionals see law firms' use of generative artificial intelligence as essential to their success, while still believing the technology is likely to replace back-office and support roles across the industry, according to a new report from Wolters Kluwer and Above the Law.

The "Generative AI in the Law: Where Could This All Be Headed?" report was based on a survey of 275 professionals conducted from March to mid-April. Law firm attorneys represented the largest demographic among respondents (37%), followed by law firm staff (26%), in-house attorneys (9%), and in-house professional staff (5%). The remaining respondents included judges, law professors, law students and legal tech vendors, among others.