Tech Spending Grew 9.7%. Demand Grew 1.9%. The 2026 Legal Tech ROI Gap Is an Accounting Problem Before It Is an AI Problem

August 2026 industry reporting shows law firm technology and knowledge-management spending up 9.7% - the fastest rate in recent history - against demand growth of just 1.9%. Analysts are now openly using the phrase 'AI bubble.' The uncomfortable truth for mid-market firms is that almost none of them can answer the follow-up question: which matters got cheaper to run? Here is why that is a ledger architecture problem, and how to fix it before the next budget cycle.