Relativity Fest Chicago 2025 brought together over 2,000 legal and technology professionals from across the world to explore the evolving future of eDiscovery. The event delivered an engaging mix of innovation showcases, educational sessions, and community networking. This year, a clear message emerged: artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer on the horizon. It’s here, and it is already shaping how legal teams manage data, review documents, and make strategic decisions.
For our team at TCDI, Relativity Fest offered an opportunity to engage directly with peers and innovators who share a passion for advancing technology and supporting the practice of law. From conversations around the aiR suite to workshops focused on process optimization and practical AI applications, our attendees walked away inspired by the progress being made and motivated by what’s to come.
Here are a few reflections from our team:
AI is Becoming Integral to Workflows
Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence took center stage at the event. The latest updates to Relativity’s aiR suite, including aiR for Review, Privilege, and Case Strategy, are changing what efficiency looks like in everyday practice. Additionally, with aiR Assist on the way, AI is evolving from a supporting feature to a central part of how case teams manage data and make defensible decisions.
Here’s what our team had to say:
There was a positive energy, especially for aiR for Review, Privilege, and Case Strategy, and where those tools are heading. AI is no longer an ‘add-on,’ but an integral part in everyday processes that create efficiencies for case teams. aiR for Case Strategy is on the way to becoming a powerful tool available for clients and partners.
I’m encouraged by the progress in the aiR suite. Advancements in aiR for Review, Privilege, and Case Strategy show real promise, and aiR Assist looks like it will be a valuable addition for our teams.
It’s no surprise the focus of most sessions centered around AI. For me, the most impactful sessions discussed how Relativity’s current and future aiR tools can be used to enhance existing workflows or to approach a workflow creatively. I look forward to testing out aiR Assist for ECA and the PI and SBI analysis types in aiR for Review for DSARs.
As always, the sessions were thoughtfully organized and insightful, bridging the gap between general Relativity news and deeper product insights. Highlights included updates such as aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege becoming part of the standard RelativityOne offering, previews of aiR Assist, and enhancements to aiR for Case Strategy.
Generative AI will become the standard. Relativity aiR for Review and aiR for Privilege are two powerful GenAI tools that will soon be included in the standard RelativityOne subscription at no additional cost.
Innovation with Purpose
That excitement was matched by a focus on real-world applications. Sessions and workshops demonstrated how new tools can streamline workflows for investigations, DSARs, and data breach response. Additionally, hands-on learning opportunities gave attendees a chance to explore how new tools can improve the quality and consistency of review.
This focus on practical outcomes mirrors how we approach technology at TCDI: innovation only matters when it drives measurable improvements for our clients.
Here’s what our team had to say:
Relativity Fest 2025 was a good conference with a strong mix of practical and forward-looking content. The sessions on investigations, data-breach review, DSARs, and FOIA requests were especially informative and useful. The event offered a good range of sessions, solid speakers, and a clear focus on applying AI in meaningful ways.
Relativity is listening to feedback and making positive changes. The team hosting the event, workshops, and speakers created a positive and optimistic energy that was genuine and not manufactured. The learning opportunities were welcoming and informative.
As a first-timer, RelFest was quite the experience and a tad overwhelming. How was I to choose which sessions to attend, find the right Crystal Ballroom, or meet up with contacts and coworkers? There were so many escalators!
I was able to get my bearings to attend several sessions and a workshop. For those of us in operations, workshops were an easy way to get hands-on experience with tools we may not have access to, which I found to be pretty valuable.
Across discussions on AI-powered entity extraction, DSAR automation, data breach response, and autonomous agents, one theme was unmistakable: AI’s role in the legal industry is expanding rapidly and shows no signs of slowing down.
“The 2025 e-Discovery State of the Union” offered diverse perspectives and predictions for the year ahead; Michelle Six, Scott Milner, Cristin Traylor, and Judge Peck brought engaging arguments to life in “AI in the Courtroom: A Mock Argument on Generative AI for Document Review”; and “Building the Future with Transformative Tech and Agentic AI: First-Hand Experiences” introduced new concepts and practical tips for leveraging GenAI tools.
Collaboration Fuels Progress
Every innovation on display was fueled by collaboration. Relativity Fest continues to serve as a gathering place where industry professionals, clients, and partners exchange ideas that move the field forward.
The event’s conversations, both formal and spontaneous, reinforced the importance of shared learning and strong connections. That sense of community is what transforms new technology from possibility into practice, ensuring that progress in eDiscovery remains forward-looking while keeping people at the center of it all.
Here’s what our team had to say:
The networking opportunities, coffee chats, and impromptu conversations proved just as valuable as the formal sessions and workshops at Relativity Fest 2025.
Throughout the conversations and sessions, I had two key takeaways: (1) data quality and well-defined processes are essential to maximizing the value of any solution, whether GenAI or not; and (2) as with any emerging technology, some are leading the way, others are just beginning, and many fall in between, but standing still is not an option.
Relativity Fest was a celebration of connection, networking, and full of meaningful conversations.
Closing: Insights That Inspire Action
This year’s RelFest reinforced what we already believed: that AI is most powerful when combined with clean data, strong processes, and human expertise.
As a RelativityOne Silver Partner, we’re excited to continue collaborating with Relativity as it evolves its aiR offerings. And, as the broader industry embraces GenAI, we look forward to leveraging these advancements to deliver greater efficiency, defensibility, and value for our clients.
Until next year, thank you Relativity Fest for the collaboration and inspiration that continue to drive our industry forward.
This blog was a compilation of thoughts from our team that attended Relativity Fest 2025.
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