Article
The Rise of No-Code AI Tools
An overview of how AI is changing the Ukrainian legal market, current regulatory trends, and practical opportunities for law firms, businesses, and government.
Market and Practice. A significant legal tech segment is emerging in Ukraine—ranging from AI assistants for document handling (review, drafting, research) to government-led initiatives. For instance, AI agents within digital state services now interpret legal inquiries from citizens, retrieve information from approved knowledge bases, and assist staff in responding to requests. The "Diia" platform acts as a testing ground for refining these automated services in real-world scenarios.
Regulatory Framework — Currently Loose. There is no standalone AI law in Ukraine. As of early 2026, AI regulation remains fragmented, relying on general provisions of civil, information, and administrative law. The country is currently in the "first stage" of soft regulation, characterized by a voluntary Code of Ethics for AI Use (in effect since December 2024) and non-binding recommendations from the Ministry of Digital Transformation. A comprehensive draft law is scheduled for development by the fourth quarter of 2026, which will mark the transition to the "second stage"—introducing sanctions and alignment with the EU AI Act.
A Distinct Nuance: The Defense Sector. Due to martial law, the defense sector is excluded from the general regulatory framework, consistent with the exemptions provided by the EU AI Act; regulation there is limited to the norms of international humanitarian law. This directly influences how AI tools are deployed in intelligence and analytical work related to defense and critical infrastructure. This domain is developing faster and with less formal oversight than civilian legal AI.
The Judiciary. Within the judicial sphere, the discussion leans toward cautious integration. Researchers emphasize that the introduction of AI into Ukrainian judicial proceedings must be grounded in the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, human oversight, and data protection. Full automation of judicial decisions is currently considered premature and institutionally undesirable.
Conclusion. Ukrainian "legal AI intelligence" is growing faster than the law can catch up. The primary drivers are state digitalization (Diia), European integration (harmonization with the EU AI Act), and the defense context, which operates under separate, more flexible rules.
