Faced with the need to innovate around contract operations, increasing numbers of attorneys and law firms are turning to technologists touting exciting new developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Companies like Kira Systems, Luminance and eBrevia have recently struck deals with Big Law firms and corporate legal departments to apply their technology to manage large merger and acquisition due diligence.

A few smaller companies, however, are looking to apply similar technology a little further upstream in the contract lifecycle. LegalSifter has been quietly developing a platform to help businesses and legal organizations in the negotiation phase of contract work.