Canadian Lawyer argues that law firms should view artificial intelligence not as a threat to junior lawyers but as a powerful training tool. The opinion piece notes that routine tasks traditionally assigned to young associates may be automated, but AI can also act as a “sparring partner,” enabling junior lawyers to draft documents, receive instant feedback and experiment with arguments in a low‑stakes environment. Automation can free senior lawyers to provide more targeted mentorship.

The author concludes that strategic integration of AI into training programmes can accelerate learning and engagement for junior lawyers. By using AI to handle repetitive research and document review, law firms can give young associates earlier exposure to substantive and strategic work. This reframing turns a perceived threat into an opportunity to better prepare new lawyers for the complexities of modern practice and underscores the importance of human mentorship alongside technological tools.