Key points:
- Technology strategy has become the primary focus for 80% of in-house legal teams in 2026.
- 54% of legal professionals cite tech selection and deployment as their main challenge, surpassing workload concerns.
- AI integration is central, with 85% of departments establishing AI governance structures.
Corporate legal departments are increasingly prioritizing technology strategy over traditional workload management. A recent survey indicates that 80% of in-house teams have identified technology strategy as their top operational priority for 2026. ([legal.io](https://www.legal.io/articles/5767837/In-house-Legal-Teams-Elevate-Tech-Strategy-As-Core-2026-Priority?utm_source=openai))
This shift is underscored by findings from Consilio's 2026 Global Survey, which reveals that 54% of legal professionals now consider the selection and deployment of new legal technologies as their primary challenge, overtaking concerns about work volume. ([morningstar.com](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260309285253/consilio-2026-global-survey-finds-legal-teams-under-pressure-to-implement-ai-at-scale-as-technology-decisions-overtake-work-volume-as-biggest-challenge?utm_source=openai))
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in this transformation. The same survey notes that 85% of legal departments have established AI committees or similar governance structures to oversee the integration of AI into their workflows. ([legal.io](https://www.legal.io/articles/5767837/In-house-Legal-Teams-Elevate-Tech-Strategy-As-Core-2026-Priority?utm_source=openai))
However, the rapid adoption of AI brings challenges. A report by Nexos.ai highlights that while 70% of legal workers use general-purpose AI tools, 43% of organizations lack formal AI policies, raising concerns about data security and compliance. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-risk-for-smbs-is-not-reckless-use-of-ai-but-invisible-workflow-change-legal-firms-are-falling-behind-when-it-comes-to-setting-rules-for-ai-use?utm_source=openai))
To address these challenges, legal departments are focusing on building governance frameworks, establishing validation processes for AI-generated content, and training teams on the capabilities and limitations of new tools. ([legal.thomsonreuters.com](https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/blog/navigating-the-future-key-goals-for-corporate-legal-departments-in-2026-and-beyond/?utm_source=openai))
In summary, as corporate legal teams navigate 2026, the emphasis on technology strategy, particularly AI integration, has become paramount. This focus aims to enhance efficiency, manage risk, and meet evolving client expectations.