CL Talk

AI is not all or none: Tiana Van Dyk on using it well in e-discovery

Jul 07, 2026

A single litigation file or regulatory investigation can now surface more data than any team could read in a lifetime, and the temptation is to let AI sort it out. On this episode of CL Talk, Canadian Lawyer managing editor Tim Wilbur speaks with Tiana Van Dyk, managing director of Epiq Canada, about using these tools well without handing over judgment. Van Dyk, who has spent nearly two decades in e-discovery, is blunt that when AI disappoints, the fault usually lies with the user rather than the tool. She explains where generative AI is genuinely delivering in document review, why fluent, human-sounding output tempts lawyers into overconfidence, and why keeping a human in the loop is non-negotiable. She also traces the shift from vendor-as-provider to embedded partner, and makes the case that more affordable tools could widen access to justice for smaller firms. Van Dyk expands on these themes as a panellist at the Canadian Legal Summit in Toronto this October, where she joins a session on how far lawyers can treat AI as a genuine legal partner. For more information on the Canadian Legal Summit, visit our website.