Relativity Fest 2024, one of the largest eDiscovery conferences in our industry, brought together thousands of legal technology professionals, thought leaders, and innovators in Chicago. As the Array team immersed ourselves in this knowledge-rich environment, we gained valuable insights into the future of eDiscovery and the transformative impact of AI.
The AI Revolution in eDiscovery
The conference buzzed with excitement around Relativity’s aiR suite. Joe Evangelista, our Senior eDiscovery Specialist, captured the sentiment perfectly: “aiR is going to change the eDiscovery world forever. Of the three aiR products, I believe aiR for privilege will be the best value proposition for our clients early on.”
Tracey Oldenburg, our Director of Hosting, provided practical guidance on AI implementation: “With Generative AI, you are not training the model, it’s already trained. You’re telling it what to look for.” This insight highlights the shift in focus from building AI models to strategically guiding them—unlocking new efficiencies and transforming how legal teams approach complex datasets.
From my perspective, the standout theme was undoubtedly the pervasive influence of generative AI across both eDiscovery and non-eDiscovery technologies. My prediction: we’ll see rapid user adoption of generative AI in eDiscovery, outpacing even TAR. However, I think it’s important to also emphasize the need for platform-wide improvements. While I am excited about aiR’s functionality, I am hoping that other applications get a revamp as well. With this new investment, we hope to see a more comprehensively updated RelativityOne environment as a whole.
Industry Leaders Share Success Stories
The conference featured impressive case studies from leading law firms, highlighting the real-world impact of AI. From Troutman Pepper’s success in reducing review time by 40% to Foley & Lardner’s use of aiR in high-pressure situations, these real-world applications demonstrated the practical benefits of AI adoption.
Vincent Liu, our Solutions Architect, provided a grounded perspective: “It’s important to know AI is still very much a new technology. As eDiscovery professionals, we need to learn how to use it, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and help it grow.” His message underscores Array’s commitment to thoughtful, deliberate adoption—ensuring AI not only delivers immediate value but also evolves into a long-term asset for our clients and the legal industry.
Balancing Technology and Ethics
Julia Helmer, our Director of Client Solutions, highlighted the human element from the judicial panel: “Lawyers have the responsibility to dispel myths and educate the civic public about the role of judges in our justice system.” Her message serves as a crucial reminder: As we continue to adopt advanced technology at Array, we remain committed to ethical practices, ensuring that innovation and integrity go hand in hand.
The Path Forward
Looking ahead, our Chief Revenue Officer, Thad Warren, encapsulated the momentum of the event: “Fest continues to drive our industry forward whether you choose to embrace it or not. Array is positioned to assist no matter where you are in your journey.”
Relativity Fest 2024 demonstrated that the future of eDiscovery lies in the thoughtful integration of AI technology with human expertise. As industry leaders shared their experiences with aiR and other innovations, it became clear that success requires both technological adoption and comprehensive training.
The conference reinforced that we’re not just witnessing change – we’re actively participating in the transformation of legal technology. Array stands ready to guide organizations through this evolution, ensuring they leverage new technologies effectively while maintaining the highest standards of legal practice.
What steps will your organization take to embrace these changes? Let’s continue this crucial conversation.
