New contract-trained AI tool promises to to explain agreements before signing

DocuSign introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) features designed to help people understand agreements in plain language before they sign, while also automating parts of document preparation for businesses. The update is built into DocuSign’s electronic signature (eSignature) experience and is part of the company’s Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform.

The signer-side experience adds an AI-generated plain-English summary of an agreement and a view of key terms, presented inside the signing flow. It also supports a question-and-answer interface so users can ask direct questions about what the agreement does, including scenarios such as cancellation terms or warranty timing, without having to search manually through long contract text.

On the preparation side, the same release describes automation aimed at reducing manual steps in setting up agreements. The new tools include agreement type detection, recipient detail verification, and intelligent placement of signature and information fields in a document. DocuSign framed these changes as a way to reduce formatting work and lower the risk of errors introduced during manual document setup.

The system is powered by DocuSign Iris (Iris), an agreement-focused AI engine built to work with contract-specific data and terminology through the IAM platform. The announcement positions Iris as a specialized layer for agreements, rather than a general-purpose model used for a broad range of tasks.

DocuSign tied the launch to survey findings on how people sign agreements. A OnePulse survey of 1,000 people conducted in December 2025 found nearly 75% of respondents would feel more confident signing legally binding agreements if they could review an AI-powered plain-English summary first. Nearly 60% reported agreeing to terms they did not fully understand. The same survey results also reported that complex contracts triggered negative emotions for nearly half of respondents, including 29% who cited frustration and 19% who cited anxiety about missing key details.

The release also outlines where the first wave is available. The AI-assisted signer capabilities and agreement type detection are available in the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (U.K.), and Australia. Automated field placement for agreement creation is scheduled to roll out in the U.S. “in the coming weeks.”