The 11th Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) Global Institute, commencing on May 11 at McCormick Place in Chicago, promises to be a pivotal event, addressing the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on legal operations. The four-day conference, known for being the largest and most influential gathering in legal ops, will explore the discipline's future amidst AI advancements.

This year’s theme, "Stronger by Design," aptly reflects the focus on enhancing team dynamics, processes, and organizational connectivity through innovative design. With over 2,100 attendees from more than 25 countries, the conference will feature 90 sessions and over 200 speakers, alongside a bustling vendor hall showcasing more than 100 exhibitors.

One notable change this year is the shift in venue from Las Vegas to Chicago—a move prompted by the legal operations community's long-standing request for variety. The new location at McCormick places attendees a little further from the downtown hustle, marking a significant change from the usual Las Vegas glitz.

The keynote sessions are particularly intriguing, featuring speakers from fields outside of legal. Zack Kass, a former OpenAI executive, will discuss both the perils and promises of AI. Second City Works will demonstrate how improvisation can enhance legal operations, while economist Judd Kessler will delve into the concept of "hidden markets" created by technological disruptions like AI.

Beyond the keynotes, the educational sessions at CLOC will not adhere to specific tracks as in previous years but will instead guide attendees based on the session relevance to their roles. These sessions will cover a range of topics from AI’s role in legal ops to cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on practical applications such as identifying inaccuracies in AI outputs and making informed AI-related investment decisions.

Another highlight is the presentation of findings from the CLOC and Harbor’s State of the Industry Survey, which is anticipated to offer insightful revelations about the current state and future directions of legal ops.

As the legal industry continues to intertwine more deeply with business practices, the CLOC Global Institute aims to provide its attendees not just with a clearer understanding of AI’s impact, but also with actionable insights that they can apply directly to enhance their operations. The event promises to be a comprehensive exploration of how legal operations can evolve and thrive in an increasingly AI-integrated world.