GenAI in eDiscovery and the Gartner Hype Cycle: A Transformative Evolution – Ryan Jeppe

Introduction

During my time earning a master’s degree Business Analytics at Ohio University, I was introduced to the Gartner Hype Cycle—a model that illustrates how emerging technologies evolve over time. After spending more than 20 years in eDiscovery and more recently working with machine learning and generative AI, I see clear parallels between AI adoption in our industry and the stages of this cycle.

Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping industries, and eDiscovery is no exception. From automating document review and privilege analysis to enhancing legal research and data analytics, GenAI offers significant potential. Understanding the Gartner Hype Cycle helps legal professionals anticipate challenges, manage expectations, and implement AI solutions strategically.

Understanding the Gartner Hype Cycle

The Gartner Hype Cycle tracks the evolution of new technologies through five key phases:

  1. Innovation Trigger – A breakthrough sparks early excitement, leading to experimentation and investment.
  2. Peak of Inflated Expectations – Optimism surges as early adopters showcase successes, often leading to exaggerated claims.
  3. Trough of Disillusionment – As challenges emerge, enthusiasm wanes due to unmet expectations and practical difficulties.
  4. Slope of Enlightenment – Practical applications emerge, and best practices develop as organizations refine their approach.
  5. Plateau of Productivity – The technology reaches mainstream adoption, delivering consistent value with well-established use cases.

GenAI in eDiscovery: Mapping the Hype Cycle

Innovation Trigger (2020-2022): Early Developments

The rise of transformer-based AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT series and legal-specific AI tools, sparked interest in automating eDiscovery workflows. Law firms and legal tech providers explored AI-driven summarization, contract analysis, and predictive coding to enhance document review and early case assessment.

Peak of Inflated Expectations (2022-2023): Unbounded Optimism

With the mainstream release of ChatGPT and other GenAI-powered tools, excitement soared. Claims about cost savings, near-perfect document classification, and autonomous review capabilities emerged. However, many underestimated the complexities of AI training, potential biases, and legal defensibility.

Trough of Disillusionment (2023-2024): Real-World Challenges

As GenAI adoption increased, so did scrutiny. Concerns about hallucinations, bias, data privacy, and regulatory uncertainty became more prominent. Legal teams quickly realized that while GenAI is a powerful tool, human oversight remains essential to ensure accuracy and compliance. Some firms faced setbacks due to overreliance on AI without robust validation (as seen in Mata v. Avianca).

Slope of Enlightenment (2024-2026): Strategic Integration

The industry is now approaching GenAI with a more measured approach—leveraging its strengths while mitigating risks. Leading eDiscovery providers are refining AI-assisted workflows, improving transparency in AI decision-making, and implementing stronger validation protocols. Regulatory bodies are also working to establish clearer guidelines, encouraging responsible AI adoption.

Plateau of Productivity (2026 and Beyond): Mainstream Adoption

As best practices solidify, GenAI will become a standard feature in eDiscovery platforms. Rather than replacing human reviewers, AI will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and provide deeper insights into legal data. Compliance frameworks and audit mechanisms will ensure defensibility, leading to broader acceptance in legal proceedings.

Conclusion

GenAI’s adoption in eDiscovery mirrors the Gartner Hype Cycle—moving from early enthusiasm, through a period of disillusionment, and into sustainable integration. By recognizing this pattern, legal professionals can set realistic expectations and strategically implement AI-powered solutions. As GenAI matures, it will become an indispensable tool, transforming how legal teams analyze, review, and manage data in litigation and investigations. Now is the time to get on board!

Gartner Hype Cycle