Artificial intelligence (AI) and Robotics have been rapidly expanding sectors in recent years, and its global growth shows no sign of slowing. Its development and deployment raise legal issues that do not fit neatly into one traditional bucket. Our firmwide cross-disciplinary AI initiative meets this challenge, advising and supporting businesses currently employing AI and those planning to incorporate technology into their operations and products.
Our AI initiative harnesses the global experience of our lawyers in diverse practices and enables the firm to help clients capitalize on a broad array of technologies and applications, from process optimization, custom controls, and automation to robotics, machine learning, predictive analytics, computer vision, and Internet of Things (IoT) in such areas as smart-cars and autonomous vehicles, home and service robots, unmanned aircraft, and intelligent tutoring and online learning systems.
We counsel a range of clients leveraging AI technology to enhance their business. They use or invest in drone technology, aerial filming, and data analytics in the education, energy, entertainment and government sectors. We are experienced in both cross-border and national transactions and have managed complex and routine cases covering a wide range of technologies and industries. We are positioned to provide intellectual property counsel throughout the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia Pacific.
Our team comprises lawyers from across our global platform, including those in the intellectual property, policy and regulatory, financial services, corporate/M&A, emerging growth, and insurance coverage practices, among others. Additionally, one of our partners was the former chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee, which has jurisdiction over most of the agencies that fund research or help develop standards for technology and AI.
As part of our firm’s commitment to our AI initiatives, we established the K&L Gates Endowment for Ethics and Computational Technologies, a $10 million gift to Carnegie Mellon University to support the study of ethical issues posed by artificial intelligence. The gift created new faculty chairs, a number of doctoral student Presidential Fellowships, and a biennial conference in the area of computational technologies as well as an undergraduate scholarship.
Robotics
Spearheading the fourth industrial revolution, robotics and autonomous systems have been a game changer for companies throughout the globe. These cutting-edge innovations are shifting the paradigm under which professionals and companies operate in most every sector, from technology and transportation to consumer products and health care. Their long list of applications includes autonomous vehicles, mobile phones, wireless technology, food processing, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and medical devices.
Robotics and autonomous systems have permeated all business processes, causing a rapid evolution of corporate practice and the associated legal needs. As companies race to innovate, they often require counsel on issues related to intellectual property, product liability and regulations in order to gain market access. They also need guidance on monetizing data and help navigating cybersecurity issues.
Our seasoned lawyers understand this rapidly advancing sector, and act as strategic advisors to clients on a broad range of matters, including:
Protecting, securing, and enforcing intellectual property rights, notably in R&D projects
Cybersecurity, data protection, privacy, and security
Litigation
Regulatory compliance and government affairs
Insurance and risk management
Product liability
Aviation and unmanned systems
eHealth and quantified self
Labor, employment, and employee benefits
Environmental, health, and safety
Alternative energy, renewables, and clean technology
On 10 March 2023, the financial world was rocked by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, a choice institution for tech startups and venture capitalists.
On 13 March 2023, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the “Paid Leave for All Workers Act” (the Act), which guarantees that Illinois workers can earn or accrue up to 40 hours of paid leave per year that may be used for any reason.
Late last year, Congress enacted a sweeping set of new retirement savings rules. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0), included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, builds on the significant retirement savings changes previously enacted by the original SECURE Act of 2019.
The FDIC put Silicon Valley Bank into receivership today, 10 March 2023, in what was the largest bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis - and the second largest bank failure in U.S. history. Our cross-practice team discuss the ramifications for depositors, borrowers, and others.
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