AI Is Changing the Law Faster Than You Think
How to develop a unique advantage when the legal industry is being completely transformed by AI?
A conversation with Oliver Yonchev on Flank's podcast, Mind At Work.
In Episode 1 of Mind At Work, I sat down with Oliver Yonchev, cofounder of cocreatd and a global leader in the creative industries.
Oliver’s work has seen him scale marketing businesses, collaborate with some of the world’s most recognized brands (he co-founded Flight Story with Steven Bartlett), and help shape the future of marketing and technology. His perspective on AI and innovation is a game-changer—not just for the creative world, but for any industry figuring out its place in an AI-driven future.
In this conversation, we talked about how AI is reshaping industries, the importance of staying curious, and why embracing change is non-negotiable if you want to stay relevant.
Why Change Is Non-Negotiable
“Change is something most of us resist, but it’s actually this wonderful thing we should all try to embrace.”
This mindset has served him well. Across his career, he’s seen entire industries transformed by technological innovation—those that adapted thrived, and those that didn’t? Well, they got left behind.
For legal teams, this isn’t just theory. Generative AI is advancing rapidly, and if you’re not engaging with these changes, you’re already falling behind.
Curiosity and Humility: Thriving in AI’s Era
What does it take to stay ahead in a world reshaped by AI? For Oliver, it comes down to two qualities:
1️⃣ Curiosity
Oliver calls himself a “delusional optimist,” someone who thrives on learning. He joked about his late-night YouTube binges, but his advice was spot on:
“Curate your digital diet. Follow the voices in your field, consume ideas, and stay open to new perspectives.”
2️⃣ Humility
This one isn’t as easy, but it’s just as important.
“You have to have humility to know that everything you thought was true yesterday might not be true tomorrow,” he explained. “Don’t be romantic about how things have always been done.”
AI’s Double Standard
One of the standout moments from our conversation was Oliver’s take on why people hesitate to adopt AI:
“We hold technology to a much higher standard than humans. ChatGPT, for example, is more knowledgeable and accurate than most of your colleagues—but we demand near-perfection from it before we trust it.”
This double standard is holding industries back. AI doesn’t need to be flawless; it needs to be something we learn to work with.
The Power of Personal Branding
We also talked about personal branding, a topic that feels uncomfortable to a lot of people—especially in the legal profession.
Oliver’s view was refreshingly simple: personal brand is just digital reputation.
“You have a reputation in the real world,” he explained. “Why wouldn’t you want 100 times more people to see how you think, your ideas, and who you are?”
He acknowledged the hesitation many people feel, particularly in British culture, where self-promotion isn’t as celebrated as in the US. But he was clear:
“There isn’t a single greater multiplier in your career than having a reputation online, a big one.”
For Oliver, investing in his digital reputation has opened doors he didn’t even know existed—from business opportunities to meaningful connections. His advice? Be consistent, show up authentically, and share your ideas.
Making AI Work for You
So how do you get started with AI? Oliver offered three actionable steps:
1️⃣ Curate Your Digital Diet: Stay informed about AI developments by following the right voices and consuming the right content.
2️⃣ Experiment with Tools: Start small with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude, and integrate them into your daily workflows.
3️⃣ Engage with the Community: Share your experiences, learn from others, and get involved in conversations about AI adoption.
These small steps can help legal teams move past hesitation and start unlocking the benefits of AI.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Oliver’s insights are a breath of fresh air for anyone navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI. If you’re ready to rethink how AI fits into your professional life, don’t miss Episode 1 of Mind At Work.
🎧 Prefer to listen to Episode 1 of Mind At Work on the go? Find this episode here.
Find out more about Flank's AI Agents here.