DISCO survey shows AI cost predictability becoming a client concern

On October 8, Canadian Lawyer reported on DISCO’s September 23 legal-AI survey of 104 law-firm and corporate legal professionals, supplemented by 33 interviews, finding that consumption-based pricing and cost predictability are emerging as constraints on adoption. The underlying vendor-sponsored research found that 64% of law-firm respondents felt client pressure to adopt AI, up from 39%, while 76% of corporate respondents reported pressure from senior leadership and 47% from the board or C-suite. For law-firm client teams, buyers may increasingly ask not only whether AI is used but how consumption costs are forecast, allocated and reflected in fees. Firms should prepare a common account-level explanation of tool economics and value measurement so partners do not give inconsistent answers across pitches and matters.