How gilbert + tobin integrates AI to enhance operational efficiency

Gilbert + Tobin, an Australian corporate law firm, has integrated AI tools like ChatGPT and Codex to boost operational efficiency. CEO Sam Nickless emphasized AI as a tool to enhance professional judgment, not a shortcut. By June 2026, 87% of ChatGPT seats were active, more than twice the adoption rate for other tools. AI streamlined recruitment research, reducing a four-hour process to 20 minutes, and aided audit reports, saving a full day of manual work across 300 entities. Codex handles complex workflows, including conflict checks and data processing, cutting time from hours to minutes. Nickless’ custom GPT acts as a digital twin of the CEO, assisting in idea validation without decision-making. The firm plans to expand access to ChatGPT Work and Codex while maintaining strict governance and data security, aiming for an interconnected working environment. The firm’s approach includes role-specific enablement, with internal training and showcases helping employees adapt to AI. Clear guidelines ensure responsible AI use, with human oversight for all outputs. Legal teams use AI for operational tasks, while approved platforms like Harvey handle legal-specific workflows. The DevOps team leveraged Codex to build a monitoring system for AWS, improving operational efficiency. Gilbert + Tobin’s strategy focuses on enhancing operational support without compromising professional judgment or client confidentiality.