Axiom Survey Finds 92% of Legal AI Requests Lack Funding

September 08, 2026
Axiom's survey finds that 92% of AI implementation requests to in house legal teams lack funding. Although 83% expect larger budgets in 2027, 55% expect workloads to grow faster than budgets.

Axiom Global Inc. said in a press release that 92% of AI implementation requests to in house legal teams lack funding, up from 78% a year earlier. Its 2027 In-House Legal Budget Report surveyed 510 legal and finance leaders across six countries.

The survey found that 83% of in house legal leaders expect their budgets to increase in 2027, but only 6% expect the added funding to create meaningful capacity. Another 55% expect workloads to grow faster than budgets.

Outside counsel rates increased for 85% of teams, while compensation costs rose for 83%. Among respondents, 59% said law firms raised fees while presenting AI as added value.

Axiom sells alternative legal services and its report also finds growing demand for that category, so the findings should be read alongside the company's commercial interest in them.

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