AT&T, OpenAI to Build AI Workflows Across Legal Department

AT&T and OpenAI will develop artificial intelligence workflows across AT&T’s Legal Department, expanding a program designed to improve access to institutional knowledge while keeping attorneys responsible for legal judgment and oversight.

The collaboration, announced Oct. 8, builds on LegalEdge, AT&T’s in-house legal agency and AI-first center of expertise. LegalEdge launched in January and handled nearly 100 matters during its first six months.

The companies will design, build and evaluate workflows using attorney oversight and real-world legal work. Potential applications include answering frequently asked questions and gathering and synthesizing information for attorneys.

Lawyers will determine how AI agents are used. AT&T also plans to incorporate governance, confidentiality, accountability and human review into every workflow as LegalEdge expands across the legal department.

“Legal judgment remains human,” said David McAtee, AT&T’s senior executive vice president and general counsel.

The initiative will cover knowledge management, workflow design and appropriate routine legal work.

“AI can help in-house legal teams play an even greater role in advancing the business,” said Jason Boehmig, OpenAI’s general manager for the legal industry.

Bill Ryan, AT&T’s senior vice president and chief compliance officer, said, “Success will not be measured by how much technology we deploy.”