AI Prompting Fundamentals in Microsoft Word

• Treat AI like a smart intern: Give detailed context and instructions, leveraging AI's comprehensive legal knowledge while maintaining your role as the expert decision-maker
  
  

• Start broad, then drill down: Begin with overview prompts like "orient me to this contract" before diving into specific issues, using iteration to refine results and build on previous responses
  
  

• Specify your company context: Load your company profile and risk positions into AI tools to get tailored redlines and comments that match your organization's negotiation style and leverage

Contract Review & Redlining Capabilities

• Automated redline analysis: AI can instantly summarize what changes counterparties made in marked-up contracts, eliminating manual review time and creating comprehensive issue lists
  
  

• Surgical contract modifications: Unlike basic find-and-replace tools, AI makes contextual edits that preserve document structure while implementing specific legal changes requested
  
  

• Comment generation: AI drafts professional explanatory comments for redlines, helping maintain relationships while clearly communicating your legal positions to counterparties

Advanced Workflow Integration

• Matter management automation: Use AI to compile document comments into organized action items grouped by responsible party, automatically generating follow-up emails to keep deals moving
  
  

• Playbook implementation: Create reusable prompt templates for common agreement types (NDAs, MSAs, vendor agreements) that apply your standard review checklist consistently
  
  

• Post-signature analysis: Extract operational obligations and key terms from signed agreements to help business teams understand ongoing compliance requirements

Adoption Trends & Professional Impact

• Rapid legal profession adoption: 81% of legal professionals now use AI weekly (up from 20% never using it), following classic technology adoption curves despite lawyers' reputation for slow change
  
  

• Daily Word usage prevalence: 95% of legal professionals use Microsoft Word daily, making in-document AI integration crucial for seamless workflow enhancement
  
  

• Elite athlete analogy: AI gives already-skilled legal professionals a competitive advantage like giving an elite marathon runner a bike - requires adjustment but dramatically improves performance