AI Firms: Secure Legal Fundamentals for Big Tech Companies

Technology & Software

by | May 2, 2019

AI Firms: Are They Regulated?

AI firms have unique legal representation needs. First of all, most of the AI world is not regulated as of right now. Automotive products are starting to become regulated. We have a baseline model there.

This is straight forward from a regulation standpoint right now. But, we still need to address hundreds of questions in that field. In aviation, there’s also been some struggle with proper legislating AI. Those are the two industries that seem to come to mind in actual legislative models out there. The other industries are very unregulated right now. This list includes biotechnology, robotics, and computer manufacturing, and software development.

As this is the case, AI firms need counsel that understands the science and technology behind AI. This also means understanding the application of new legislative schemes to that technology. So it would allow the AI firm to comply, expect, and design around it if they needed to. So, you would need an outside-the-box firm. It must bring expertise and experience in science and the relevant technical background. This is for the firm’s benefit.

AI Companies Are Still Traditional Firms

The types of AI firms that are a great fit for our firm are the big AI manufacturers and developers out there. Firms like Google for example. Tesla, SpaceX, and Oracle. IBM is another one. They have great and respectable firms working for them. But, these firms are still traditional firms. As a firm, we bring a lot of different scientific understanding and education to our practice. We also think outside the box. You would need this in a field that’s very unregulated. And we have the experience to see where the regulatory schemes are heading.

AI FirmsWith our capacity, we could assist clients and companies of that stature. We could also help embryonic companies navigate through AI legislation and regulation. The AI technologies that impress the most are still automated driving and aviation. The sky’s the limit with automated driving. It’s going to end, in the long run, accidents, fatalities, gridlocked traffic. So there’s a tremendous upside to that as that technology continues to develop.

A Role in Aviation

In the aviation context, AI will have a tremendous role. Right now. there’s a shortage of pilots in commercial aviation. AI will help start alleviating that issue. It will allow for more flights, safer flights, and better flights in the future. So, thinking of the big firms behind those two particular industries, there’s Toyota. There’s Ford, you think of Porsche on the automotive side. In aviation, there’s Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer. They all dedicate a portion of their budgets to develop AI technologies in flight. The recent news about the Boeing 737 Max model is sad. It’s a cause for concern. It’s an interesting application of AI technology. Those are the possible results without proper communication. And errors happen with computer systems, errors happen with the execution of those systems.

What’s interesting about those incidents are the commonalities. There’s either or both the lack of training with the pilots. Or it’s the lack of communication between the manufacturer of the airplane and the pilots. So, there were software issues in the two incidences involving the 737 Max. We can address those issues. There must be proper training and communication. This must be between the airplane manufacturer, the software developer, and the pilot.

It was a tragedy, but it was also a lesson. It’s not only about developing the right software. Moreover, it’s not only about the execution and implementation of that software. It’s also about communicating with the pilots in what to do if there’s an issue or if there’s an error.

Author

  • Ismail Amin

    Ismail’s legal experience encompasses serving Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized privately held companies, and entrepreneurs. He presently serves as Corporate and Litigation Counsel to large and mid-sized businesses throughout California, Nevada, Texas, North Carolina, and New York as well as General and Personal Counsel to high-profile hospitality operators in California and Nevada. Ismail’s practice emphasizes Business and Intellectual Property matters, with a focus on healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and hospitality. Ismail has counseled the firm’s healthcare provider clients in acquiring or selling assets while maximizing return and minimizing risk. He has helped clients acquire or sell over $1 billion worth of healthcare-related assets, including hospitals.