WHAT’S INSIDE
JANUARY 2026 EDITION
Welcome to the first 2026 edition of The Poseidon Post! This month, we are looking past the AI hype to the reality of contract analysis, exploring why the DoD is tightening the screws on cybersecurity, and discussing how public sector procurement strategies are offering a masterclass in efficiency for organizations of all sizes.
THE BIG STORY
ChatGPT can’t analyze your contracts (on its own) yet.
As we head into 2026, the legal world is buzzing with a reality check: while General AI like ChatGPT is becoming more sophisticated, it still lacks the "legal "brain" required to handle complex contract analysis without significant human oversight. The latest industry analysis suggests that while LLMs are excellent at summarizing, they still struggle with the nuance of indemnity, liability caps, and cross-referenced clauses.
For mid-size legal and ops teams, the lesson is clear: AI is a powerful co-pilot, not an autopilot. The real value in 2026 isn't found in "chatting" with a document in a public browser, but in utilizing AI built into a secure CLM environment where data privacy is guaranteed and the "human in the loop" remains the final authority.
Key Takeaways
Security First: Public AI tools remain a risk for sensitive contract data; 2026 will see a massive shift toward "walled garden" AI within CLM platforms.
Verification is Mandatory: AI-generated contract summaries still require a lawyer’s "stamp of approval" to mitigate hallucination risks.
Context Matters: AI is only as good as the data it can see. Integrating your CLM with your broader tech stack is the only way to give AI the context it needs to be truly useful.
CONTRACT INTELLIGENCE
Quick takes on what’s happening.
DoD Cybersecurity Vetting Hits a Snag
A recent audit has flagged weaknesses in how cybersecurity certifications (CMMC) are being vetted. For contractors, this means 2026 will bring much stricter verification processes. It’s no longer enough to "have" the certification; you must prove it via your contract data at every renewal.
New McKinsey research highlights how state and local leaders are overhauling procurement for 2026. By centralizing data and breaking down silos, they are slashing cycle times. Private sector ops teams should take note: a unified source of truth for spend and contracts is the top priority this year.
Procurement Modernization: Not Just for Government
The 2026 AI forecast shows that the "Wild West" era of AI experimentation is over. We are moving into the "Compliance Era." Legal teams must now focus on AI governance, ensuring that every tool used for drafting or review meets new ethical and regulatory standards
Tech contracting is evolving rapidly. New "AI Provisions" are becoming standard in vendor agreements, covering everything from how your data is used to train models to who owns the intellectual property created by AI. If your playbooks haven't been updated since 2024, they are likely out of date.
Drafting for the AI Age
POSEIDONCLM INSIDER
Get more out of PoseidonCLM.
Feature Highlight
The PoseidonCLM Framework Dashboards
Whether you are just beginning your CLM journey or have been a Poseidon power-user for years, our core framework is designed to keep you in a state of constant readiness.
Establish (Setting the Standard): For new users, this is building your baseline from legacy data. For our long-term partners, this is where you established the "Source of Truth".
Enforce (Real-Time Governance): Once your standards are set, the platform ensures they are followed. This is validating the Poseidon ecosystem, to ensure everything stays aligned.
Maintain (Long-Term Operational Health): Compliance is not a "one and done" task. The Maintain view is designed for your monthly check-ins, surfacing upcoming renewals and tracking vendor performance against your compliance thresholds. It ensures you are audit-ready 365 days a year.
Want to optimize your current dashboards? If you want to see how to update your views for 2026 or need a walkthrough of our latest Poseidon features or enforcement flags, let’s connect!
https://poseidonclm.com/schedule-demo/
Customer Review Spotlight
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boxout, LLC
From the time we first engaged Trident Contract Management, the team has done nothing but go above and beyond to help solve our challenges. I can’t think of a single company that has done more work to customize solutions that are needed. Not only do they help create solutions in Poseidon, but they are incredibly responsive and quick in doing so. There are so many possibilities on how to use their solutions, and Todd and the team will work to understand exactly what you need and deliver it every time.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Questions & Quirks in the CLM Community. This month we have a trivia question and a poll!
According to recent industry analysis, which area is most commonly missing from AI-related technology contracts today?
If your current contract repository was a movie genre, what would it be?
- The Action Thriller: High stakes, fast-paced, and everything is on fire.
- The Mystery/Noir: We know the contracts are in there... somewhere. We just can’t find them.
- The Sci-Fi: We’re living in the future with AI, but it’s a bit glitchy.
- The Documentary: Boring, predictable, and perfectly organized (Teach us your ways!).
BEFORE YOU GO
Thank you for reading The PoseidonCLM Post. If you would like to see any workflows or features mentioned in more detail, you can always reach us through PoseidonCSP, contact your customer success manager, or schedule time here: