---
title: "What to cover when you tell a client an AI tool was used"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/knowledge-management/know-how/telling-a-client-you-used-ai"
type: "know_how_note"
site: "AI Law Framework"
kind: "Client disclosure"
checked: "2026-10-10"
---

# What to cover when you tell a client an AI tool was used

> Say what the tool did, what it did not do, what information went into it, and who checked the output.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/knowledge-management/know-how/telling-a-client-you-used-ai  
Checked: 2026-10-10

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

This is general information about using AI in legal work in Australia. It is not legal advice, and it is not a decision on your matter, your client or your court.

## Steps

1. **What the tool was used for.** Name the task in ordinary words. For example, a first draft of a chronology. Say what the tool was not used for.
2. **Who checked it.** Say that a lawyer checks the output before it is used, and name the role if you can. Do not say the tool approved the work.
3. **What information went in.** Say whether confidential or privileged material was put into the tool, and which tool and plan received it.
4. **That the client can say no.** Say what the work looks like if the client does not want that tool used. Do not hide the choice in a general consent to ‘technology’.
5. **Adapt it.** This is a list of topics, not wording to copy onto a matter. Match it to the retainer, the tool’s terms, and any court rule that applies.

## Sources

- [Law Society of New South Wales: A solicitor’s guide to responsible use of artificial intelligence (January 2026)](https://www.lawsociety.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-01/20260109%20LS4816_PSU_GuidetoAI_2026-01-08a%20FINALv2.pdf) (Law Society of New South Wales)
- [Statement on the use of AI in Australian legal practice (December 2024)](https://www.lawsociety.com.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/LS4590_PSP_Statement_AI_LawSocietyVersion121224.pdf) (Law Society of New South Wales)
- [Client consent and confidentiality on this site](https://ailawframework.com/knowledge-management#client-consent) (AI Law Framework)

## Questions

**Is this legal advice?**

No. These notes are general information about using AI in legal work in Australia. They are not advice on a matter, a client or a court.

**Who can read a note I save?**

Only the account that saved it. A note on this public page is different: anyone can read it. Your own notes are not published.

**What should I leave out of a saved note?**

Leave out a client’s name, a file number and other personal information unless you mean to store it on this account.