Law360 Talks With Tracy Belton on AI’s Growing Role in M&A

Tracy Belton, co-chair of Arnold & Porter’s global Mergers & Acquisitions practice, was recently quoted in the Law360 article, “M&A Attys Hand Tasks To ‘Machines’ In Careful Embrace Of AI.” The piece explores how artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming more embedded in core deal workflows, and why attorneys should be cautious about overreliance.

Tracy emphasized that while AI tools can “quickly identify common risks across industries and assist in reviewing agreements to flag potential areas of concern,” they should not replace human expertise, especially in tasks requiring legal nuance and professional judgment.

“AI can be a powerful assistant for seasoned attorneys, who can identify errors, spot hallucinations, and refine AI-generated language,” she said, but junior lawyers may not have the experience to know “whether a provision is flawed or risky, and they may place too much trust in AI outputs.”

She also cautioned that “overreliance on AI could diminish human judgment in areas that require nuance,” reminding practitioners that legal expertise and ethical obligations remain irreplaceable.

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