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31 January 2025 / Ian McDougall
Issue: 8102 / Categories: Features , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Regulatory
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The AI emperor has no clothes

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Is sheer panic & confusion driving the push to regulate artificial intelligence? Ian McDougall highlights the folly of legislating for something that doesn’t exist
  • Despite the rush to push through legislation specifically designed to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), the bulk of issues raised pre-date the development of AI, and are therefore already covered by existing legislation.

Firstly, I acknowledge that this article has come too late to influence the topic. The horse has bolted, the train has left the station, and the diva is already singing. Nonetheless, I still feel I should put these thoughts on the record. Sometimes being a lone voice is lonely, but I am patient. The points I am about to raise are as inevitable as they are frustrating.

So, with that lengthy and cryptic introduction, I shall give you the conclusion first, and then explain why. The conclusion: I am not convinced that there is a need for any artificial intelligence (AI)-specific regulation. It causes more confusion than any problem it

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

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When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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