Navigating AI's Legal Landscape

At GC CONCLAVE 2024, a panel of experts gathered to discuss the ethical implications and organisational impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Moderated by Lakshmi Menon Nair, Director and Associate General Counsel at HP, the conversation provided valuable insights into the transformative potential of AI and the imperative for ethical oversight.

"AI is poised to revolutionise human behaviour and our understanding of reality," noted Lakshmi Menon Nair, setting the stage for the discussion. She emphasised the importance of legislative efforts such as the EU's AI Act and the Advisory Committee advising on the AI Rights Act in the US. "Other countries like Israel, Japan, and Australia are also prioritising ethical AI deployment," she added.
 

Healthcare and Pharma

Biplab Lenin, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, shed light on AI's impact on healthcare. "Companies have integrated artificial intelligence in service provision, where software identifies diseases based on information provided by patients," he explained. Regarding telemedicine, he noted, "AI can only support patients, not advise them directly, as per telemedicine practice guidelines."

Contract Management and Data Privacy

K. Sathish Kumar, Senior VP and Group Chief Legal Officer at Intellect Design Arena, highlighted AI's role in expediting contract review processes. "AI turns around the contract review process in a very short duration, helping identify major risks," he stressed. Kumar also raised concerns about data privacy, noting, “We don’t know what goes into it and what comes out.”

Fashion Industry and AI Litigation

Jyothi VK, General Counsel and Senior VP at Aditya Birla Fashion, discussed AI's impact on the fashion industry and the rise of AI-related litigation. She stated, "Gen AI's ability to generate new content raises copyright concerns and prompts litigation." VK emphasised the need for judicial readiness, stating, "Courts need specialised training to adjudicate AI disputes effectively."

Automotive Sector and Autonomous Vehicles

Anubhav Kapoor, Director of Legal Services at Samvardhan Motherson Group, delved into the complexities of autonomous vehicles and the associated legal challenges. He questioned, "Should the manufacturer be blamed for any accidents? Is it negligence or strict liability?" Kapoor highlighted the ethical implications of job displacement, stating, "There is a likelihood that those jobs will be taken away."

Utilisation of Gen AI and Risk Mitigation

Zameer Nathani, Group General Counsel at Car Dekho, shared insights into the utilisation of Gen AI within the organisation and the associated risks. He stressed the importance of transparent frameworks, stating, "Frameworks such as transparency and fairness are essential to ensure responsible AI deployment."

As AI continues to shape our society, collaborative efforts and stringent ethical oversight are crucial to navigating its complexities. As Menon aptly concluded, "It's crucial to use AI responsibly for societal advancement, avoiding misuse that could conflict with the law."