The majority of AI leaders come from technology-focused backgrounds, “suggesting that top-performing firms are increasingly turning to senior external technology experts to successfully integrate AI into legal practice”. The combined count showed that 76 of the top 100 UK firms have hired a chief AI officer or equivalent, compared to 96 of the top 100 US practices. There was a strong male bias – 81% of senior AI hires in the UK, and 70% in the US, were men. Female AI leaders were also more likely to be a qualified lawyer (45%) than men (31%), “possibly pointing to a higher bar for entry for women”, said Search Acumen. It also indicated that the need for standalone senior governance of AI within law firms was “business critical”, he went on.