On July 2nd, HKA welcomed senior professionals from six global law firms and investigative consultancies to our London headquarters for the inaugural Hands-On AI Challenge, held in collaboration with Merlin Search Technologies. Designed and guided by HKA’s investigations team, the event explored how artificial intelligence could reshape the way complex investigations are conducted and highlighted the critical role of expert oversight in ensuring quality, accuracy, and risk mitigation.

The challenge was ambitious: each team was given access to 14,000 government documents related to the UK Post Office scandal, one of the most devastating institutional failures in British history. Under HKA’s direction, participants were tasked with answering sophisticated investigative questions using Alchemy’s AI-powered technology in just 45 minutes.

Rather than relying on traditional keyword searches and manual document review, teams engaged in question-based investigation. By posing natural language queries, they received comprehensive, citation-rich answers. The platform synthesised complex patterns, tracked institutional behaviours, and delivered insights with professional precision. The result? Multi-page reports that would typically take weeks to produce were completed in under an hour.

Throughout the challenge, HKA provided strategic guidance and emphasised the importance of expert involvement in AI-powered reviews particularly when navigating sensitive, high-stakes investigations. Our team highlighted the risks of misinterpretation, the need for professional judgment, and the value of structured oversight to ensure that AI tools enhance, not replace, critical thinking and investigative rigour.

The energy in the room was palpable. Initial scepticism quickly gave way to deep engagement and genuine excitement as participants realised they were experiencing the future of legal discovery. Every team succeeded in producing high-quality analyses, and the competitive evaluation was remarkably close demonstrating that AI has the power to amplify professional expertise across the board.

This wasn’t just a demo, it was a glimpse into the future of investigations, By combining cutting-edge AI with expert oversight, we’re showing how technology can accelerate insight without compromising rigour. The feedback from participants was clear: this is where the industry is heading, and HKA is proud to be leading the way.

Darren Mullins, Partner, HKA

This event marked a visible tipping point with many in the profession ready to move beyond search-based discovery. The shift toward answer-driven analysis is gaining momentum where AI tools deliver not just speed, but depth, accuracy, and strategic insight.

At HKA, we believe the future of investigations is already here and we’re proud to be guiding the profession through it.