GC Workloads Surge as Geopolitical Risk Tops Corporate Concerns

Event summary

  • Diligent Institute's GC Risk Index reveals that 67% of General Counsels report increased workloads related to risk and compliance.
  • Organizations rate overall risk at 7 out of 10, with geopolitical conflicts now the top concern (up from third in October 2025).
  • Nearly half of legal leaders now dedicate up to 40% of their time to enterprise-wide risk and compliance.
  • Only 52% of GCs report significant efficiency gains from AI tools, citing issues like lack of integration and unclear KPIs.
  • 79% of GCs express a lack of confidence in the clarity of board risk reporting.

The big picture

The findings underscore a growing trend of legal departments being pulled into broader enterprise oversight roles, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, regulatory complexity, and the evolving risk landscape. This shift is straining existing resources and highlighting the need for integrated GRC systems and more effective AI implementation, potentially creating a competitive advantage for organizations that can adapt quickly. The persistent lack of confidence in board reporting signals a systemic challenge in translating risk insights into actionable decision-making at the highest levels.

What we're watching

Governance Dynamics
The disconnect between GCs’ risk perceptions and board reporting suggests a widening governance gap that will require more transparent and actionable risk communication strategies.
Regulatory Headwinds
The rapid rise of geopolitical risk as a primary concern indicates that legal departments will need to proactively adapt to increasingly complex and unpredictable regulatory landscapes.
Execution Risk
The inconsistent AI adoption rates highlight the risk that organizations will fail to realize the promised efficiency gains without addressing foundational issues like data integration and governance frameworks.