Connected newsletter – July 2024: AI edition

This issue has been edited by Francine Cunningham with contributions from the Regulatory & Public Affairs team and lawyers from across the firm.

In view of the final publication of the flagship Artificial Intelligence Act in the EU Official Journal, we created this special edition examining the impact of AI on a wide range of sectors from technology & communications, data governance and cybersecurity, to life science and health, energy and utilities, aviation, space and satellite, automotive, defence and financial services. Virtually every business sector will now have to prepare for compliance with the incoming Regulation.

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Countdown to compliance as EU AI Act set to enter into force

One of the most significant pieces of legislation to be adopted by the outgoing EU mandate, the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) was finally published in the Official Journal on 12 July 2024. It is due to come into force on 1 August 2024 and will become applicable in a phased manner from between six and 36 months thereafter, with most provisions applying after 24 months.

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For further information, please contact Francine Cunningham, Paolo Sasdelli and Paula Alexe.

AI deployed to accelerate product development, optimise networks

Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of the technology and communications sectors. Many of the advancements we have seen have come from or been enabled by technology companies and this in turn has driven massive growth for them. But AI also drives other forms of innovation, from automating routine tasks to enabling advanced data analytics and predictive modelling. Companies leveraging AI systems can accelerate product development and enhance user experiences.

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For further information, please contact Will Bryson, Kimberly Wells and Matthew Buckwell.

Companies should be alert to legal issues around data collection and use

Data plays a critical role in AI-driven solutions, impacting their accuracy and effectiveness. As organisations increasingly use AI for competitive advantage and innovation, careful consideration of the legal implications of data collection and use, including the reuse of existing data sets, is essential. Adhering to the key requirements of an effective data governance framework is critical to the responsible use of AI, establishing accountability for data governance and ensuring accuracy, privacy, ethics, security and compliance.

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For further information, please contact Nils Lölfing.

Challenges ahead for the AI-Powered Future of Life Sciences

Artificial Intelligence has been making waves in numerous sectors, including the life sciences and healthcare industry. It is being applied at all stages of medicine development; from the identification and validation of potential targets, predicting efficacy and safety, to its use as a tool for clinical trial design, clinical data monitoring/analysis and patient selection. Production facilities and supply chains are also set to benefit from AI driven innovation. AI is also finding its way into healthcare, speeding up diagnosis, supporting patient engagement and assisting healthcare professionals save time and improve the quality of care they provide to patients. However, this enormous growth in application of AI in the life sciences and healthcare sectors also brings a fast-moving, complex regulatory landscape.

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For further information, please contact: Toby Bond, Nils Lölfing, Hester Borgers, Christian Lindentahl.

AI crucial for optimising energy efficiency and sustainability

One of the key contributions of AI lies in optimising energy production, consumption and trading, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and sustainability. Advanced AI algorithms are employed to analyse massive datasets, enabling predictive maintenance of energy infrastructure, optimising power grid operations, dispatch of production, consumption and storage assets, in addition to identifying opportunities for energy savings.

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For further information, contact Kathryn Parker, Michael Rudd and Peter Willis.

AI deployed for enhanced safety, predictive maintenance and air traffic flow

The aviation industry is no stranger to advanced systems that support, and at times replace, the need for human input. This notwithstanding, recent advancements in AI have had a profound impact across the industry; AI is being deployed to design more efficient airframes and engines, invent new composite materials, and to enhance safety, fuel efficiency and overall performance.

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For further information, please contact Leo Fattorini and Berend van der Eijk.

Integration of AI offers opportunities for space applications

The position of the space and satellite sector at the forefront of innovation may be further boosted by rapid developments in AI and its potential in space applications. However, a central challenge is to create agile regulations that address risks and harms related to these novel technologies.

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For further information, please contact Hayley Blyth.

Accelerating Impact of AI redefines concept of mobility

The automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the integration of AI. This technological leap is not confined to the realm of autonomous vehicles; it permeates every facet of the automotive world. From the assembly lines where vehicles are born to the roads they traverse, AI is redefining the very essence of mobility.

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For further information, please contact Paolo Sasdelli.

Defence sector looks to identify and mitigate security threats

The impact of artificial intelligence on the defence and security sector has the potential to be profound and extensive. Businesses within the sector are looking beyond how AI enabled systems may pose a security threat (and how the solutions they develop could mitigate against them) to considering how artificial intelligence can be applied to address other issues.

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For further information, please contact Will Bryson, Mark Leach, Amelia Morris.

Legal and Operational Perspectives on AI applications

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the financial sector promises transformative advancements, ranging from enhanced customer assistance and personalised financial services to improved fraud detection and operational efficiency. However, the adoption of AI in the financial services landscape brings forth a complex array of legal and operational challenges.

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For further information, please contact Giuseppe D’Agostino.

Podcast on the outcome of the EU elections for tech policy-making

Curious about how EU tech policy-making will take shape during the new European Parliament and College of Commissioners? In a Bird & Bird podcast, our Regulatory and Public Affairs Director, Francine Cunningham, is joined by Javier Espinoza, the Financial Times EU correspondent covering competition and digital policy in Brussels, to take stock of the outcome of the recent European Parliament elections and the potential implications for the tech sector.

Access the podcast here