A new commentary from Above the Law warns that the rise of B2B agents—automated systems that negotiate and execute contracts—will require more than machine-readable agreements. The piece argues that while technology can standardize terms and speed up transactions, it cannot replace the nuanced judgment that legal and business professionals bring to complex deals.
The author specifically cautions against treating the market as a stand-in for that judgment. Even in an automated environment, the article contends, market signals alone are not enough to ensure fair or sound outcomes. The implication is that lawyers and dealmakers will still need to oversee how agents operate, especially when contracts involve ambiguity or competing interests.
Because this is a single opinion piece, there is no contrasting view presented. The argument aligns with broader concerns about AI in legal practice: automation can assist, but it does not eliminate the need for human accountability and interpretation.