Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries and workplaces, with further impacts on the horizon. Staying ahead of the legal implications is crucial for all businesses. At Butzel, we understand the underlying technology and legal concerns, whether it’s basic AI, generative AI (GenAI), machine learning, deep learning, or intelligent automation (IA).
A transformative force across industries, AI presents countless opportunities. These prospects are often accompanied by a host of potential complex legal challenges. Our Artificial Intelligence Practice Department offers legal services designed to help entities doing business in a variety of sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, aerospace and defense (A&D), health care, and others, to navigate this intricate environment with confidence and precision.
With AI regulations rapidly shifting worldwide, organizations must address a complex mix of privacy, anti-discrimination, and sector-specific laws at the state level, comply with various federal frameworks in the US, and meet strict requirements abroad, especially under the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) and other international standards. Multinational organizations must adapt to navigate this complex landscape of diverse and evolving compliance requirements. In the United States, several federal agencies play key roles in establishing standards and regulatory frameworks relevant to artificial intelligence: Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These agencies, along with others such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), play a critical role in shaping AI standards and enforcing compliance across various sectors. Organizations operating in the US should closely monitor guidance and regulatory developments from these bodies to ensure their AI practices meet evolving legal and ethical standards.
Navigating the complex and fast-changing landscape of AI regulations requires focused legal support. Our team is dedicated to guiding clients through these evolving compliance requirements, offering tailored counsel to ensure organizations implement trusted risk management frameworks and responsible AI policies. We emphasize ethical practices, particularly in the deployment of GenAI, and provide comprehensive services to help our clients stay ahead of regulatory developments. Our attorneys provide counsel in a variety of areas, including:
- Risk Management & Responsible AI Policies: Assist organizations in adopting frameworks that promote ethical AI usage and robust risk management practices and identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks associated with AI systems, ensuring that policies are in place to proactively address issues such as data privacy, security, bias, and regulatory compliance
- Vendor Contract Negotiation: Ensure vendor contracts clearly address data security and confidentiality within AI systems to protect you from deliverables that may run afoul of the law
- Compliance Audits: Conduct thorough audits to identify, address, and mitigate risks—prioritizing fairness, transparency, and legal adherence for algorithmic accountability and data governance in your company’s AI initiatives
Employee training is crucial for maintaining responsible AI practices. Our attorneys educate teams on the ethical and practical use of AI tools, with an emphasis on accuracy, confidentiality, and informed decision-making. We specialize in crafting industry-specific disclosures that satisfy regulatory requirements, ensuring stakeholders are properly informed about high-risk AI deployments:
- Training & Education: Provide tailored AI awareness and compliance training programs to educate your employees on using AI responsibly to mitigate unintended consequences and liabilities
To further support your organization’s journey toward responsible and legally compliant AI adoption, our practice offers specialized services in regulatory disclosures, advertising counsel, intellectual property protection, litigation support, and many other areas:
- Regulatory Disclosures: Develop clear, compliant disclosures for high-risk AI systems that meet federal, state, and international requirements, helping organizations to maintain transparency with stakeholders and regulators and minimize legal exposure
- Training & Education: Provide tailored AI awareness and compliance training programs to educate your employees on using AI responsibly to mitigate unintended consequences and liabilities.
- Advertising Counsel: Advise on compliant advertising of AI capabilities and responsible use, helping to avoid misleading claims
- Intellectual Property Patent & Protection: Counsel on patenting and protecting your AI-related intellectual property (IP), safeguarding proprietary algorithms, datasets, and innovations including assisting to maximize the usage of information and materials that may be subject to the AI IP rights of others through IP audits, reviews, and licensing
- Litigation Support: Representation in disputes—including discrimination, misrepresentation, and misuse of AI systems—to ensure your organization is prepared and protected in every scenario
Cybersecurity remains a central concern for organizations leveraging AI. Threat actors are increasingly exploiting GenAI to devise sophisticated attack methods, including extortion and information theft. Our cybersecurity attorneys maintain active communication with government agencies and private sector partners to track emerging threats and deliver timely, effective advice based on the latest intelligence.
- Data Protection Measures: Advise on best practices to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access
- Privacy Compliance: Ensure adherence to privacy laws and industry standards for AI-driven systems
- Incident Response: Provide authoritative support during cyber breaches, with experience in nationwide data breach response for retail, service, and manufacturing sectors
Our practice members bring considerable experience through collaborations with top technology providers and participation in key industry groups, including the American Bar Association’s Presidential Cybersecurity Legal Task Force among others. Recognized for their expertise in privacy, cybersecurity, compliance, and many other areas, our team holds advanced certifications such as Certified Information Privacy Professionals (CIPP/US) and are regularly sought to share insights with local and national media.
We’re a firm built for now. Butzel attorneys have remained at the forefront of technological changes as they have evolved and continue to help businesses navigate complex legal challenges and leverage innovation for growth and security. We empower businesses to thrive amid technological change by protecting assets, ensuring compliance, and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
