Responsible AI in Australian Law Firms: What the New National AI Plan Means for You

The Australian Government released the National Artificial Intelligence Plan in December 2025!

Its goals are to capture AI opportunities, spread the benefits and keep Australians safe. Crucially for law firms, the Government has confirmed that responsible AI governance is required at two levels: whole-of-organisation practices (such as AI policies and procedures) and specific AI systems in use.

The Plan sets out six essential practices for responsible AI governance. Organisations are expected to:

  1. Decide who is accountable and create or update your AI policy

  2. Understand AI impacts and plan accordingly

  3. Measure and manage AI risks

  4. Share essential information about AI

  5. Test and monitor AI use

  6. Maintain human control over AI

For law firms and in-house teams, these are not abstract ideas. They affect how client data is handled, how AI-generated work is checked and how staff are allowed to use AI tools in matters.

In this context, firms are now revisiting their AI and technology policies to line up with both the National AI Plan and the latest wave of AI tools.

For many firms, existing AI or technology policies were written before the latest wave of AI capabilities. In 2026, those policies need to stretch to cover new capabilities such as AI agents that can act across systems, AI powered browsers that can see and use client information, and data flows between different AI apps and plug‑ins.

As part of that conversation, there is an upcoming free webinar, AI in Law Firms: Essential Insights for 2026, presented by Inbal Rodnay and Dr Nigel Wilson. It will look at the legal obligations, and also the practical reality of AI, automation and agents inside firms.

Free webinar: AI in Law Firms – Essential Insights for 2026

A free online webinar, AI in Law Firms: Essential Insights for 2026, will be presented by Inbal Rodnay and Dr Nigel Wilson, leading Australian experts on AI adoption and regulation.

The session is designed for partners, principals, practice managers and in-house legal leaders who want to move from ad hoc AI use to clear, safe and practical adoption.

When is the free online webinar?

The webinar will be held on Friday, 20 February 2026, 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm AEDT.

How do I register?

Register for free at:

www.inbal.com.au/events

On the same webpage, there is also an option to register for a follow-on “AI Policy for Law Firms” workshop for teams that are ready to build or update their AI policy.

What will be covered in the webinar

Together, Dr Nigel Wilson and Inbal Rodnay will unpack both the legal landscape and the practical implementation inside firms.

Nigel will cover:

  • The current Australian legal and regulatory landscape for AI in 2026

  • How the National AI Plan and related guidance apply to legal practices

  • Courts and AI, why jurisdictions are cautious and what that means for your matters

  • Privacy, data residency and professional obligations for legal practices

  • Key risk themes regulators are watching and what firms should document

Inbal will cover:

  • Where firms are really at with AI today, from “resistant” to “dabbling” to “mastering”

  • What law firm leaders need to know about AI, automation and agents in 2026

  • How close we are to AI actually doing the work, and what we need to watch out for

  • A simple, practical roadmap for safe AI adoption in law firms

  • What needs to be in an AI policy, and what you can leave out

There will also be time for a light, practical Q&A, with Nigel focusing on legal, regulatory and governance questions, and Inbal focusing on implementation and “how to” adoption questions. The session will close with an invitation to the follow-on AI Policy for Law Firms workshop for teams that are ready to implement..

About the presenters

Inbal Rodnay

Inbal Rodnay is Australia’s leading voice on AI adoption in professional services, working across APAC. Inbal is the author of AI Magic: 6 Steps to AI Mastery in Your Firm, a number 1 Amazon bestseller in 2025, a LinkedIn Top Voice in AI and a 2025 Stevie Award winner for Thought Leadership. Inbal has been recognised as Australia’s Fintech Leader of the Year (2025 winner) and as Stevie’s Most Influential Women in Tech 2025 Silver medallist.

Inbal works directly with law and accounting firms to turn AI from hype into safe, usable workflows that respect client obligations and firm culture.

Dr Nigel Wilson, Director, Australis Chambers

Dr Nigel Wilson is an Australian lawyer and privacy, cybersecurity, AI and technology regulatory specialist with over thirty years of experience. He is the author of the international, award-winning Teaching Professionals – Revised AI Edition! and is also a professional workplace trainer and educator for corporations, legal practices, governments, critical infrastructures and not-for-profits.

He was a finalist in the Australian AI Awards 2024 in three categories: AI Leader of the Year (SME), AI Consultant of the Year (SME) and AI Academic / Researcher of the Year.

Dr Nigel Wilson’s liability is limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation.

 

Nigel Wilson