It is very important for lawyers and aspiring lawyers to be up-to-date with the latest changes in society and understand how these changes may impact the legal profession. With this in mind, I will be posting a monthly blog post relating to current awareness. This will focus on recent stories about technology, including the increasingly relevant AI. Technology and AI are playing an increasing role in how law firms are run. These blog posts will hope to chart this change.
Internet of Everything
One thing of note is the increase in the Internet of Everything (IoE). This is a broad terms describing gadgets, devices and other consumer products that have access to the internet and other expanded digital features. The rise in use of such products has led to increased risk of hacking. These devices have the potential to be hacked into and changed by the hacker. For example, IoE toy dolls have been hacked to say offensive things as opposed to their normal, programmed answers (a great example of this can be found on the BBC website which is linked below).
In order to prevent a rise in cyber-attackers, new laws have been proposed by the Digital Minister Margot James to try and make these IoE products safer. For example, new legislation (if made) could force companies to give all products a unique password that has to be used to connect to the product. The proposed law would introduce an initially voluntary labelling system which will give customers an indication of how safe the product is. To get a label a business must ensure the product will have to have a unique password, state how long security updates will be available for and ensure customers have a point of contract if they have cyber-security vulnerabilities they want to disclose.
For more information: BBC
Cryptocurrency: Blockchains
Something else which is on the rise is the use of cryptocurrency and particularly blockchain technology.
I found the simplest explanation, including a helpful diagram, of blockchains on a website called blockgeeks. It describes a blockchain in the following way: ‘A blockchain is, in the simplest of terms, a time-stamped series of immutable record of data that is managed by cluster of computers not owned by any single entity. Each of these blocks of data (i.e. block) are secured and bound to each other using cryptographic principles (i.e. chain).’ (Link to Block Geek) It is through blockchain technology that cryptocurrency is transferred.
In order to learn more about cryptocurrency the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have launched a private blockchain and cryptocurrency. It will have no monetary value and will not be accessible outside of the IMF and World Bank but will be useful training for its staff to understand cryptocurrency principles and challenges such as how cryptocurrency can be used to facilitate money laundering.
The Land Registry is also trying to explore the benefits of blockchain technology as part of a longer term project to assess how new technologies could innovate the house buying process.
The impact of blockchain technology is definitely something to keep an eye out for!
Artificial Intelligence
Recently, there has been great interest in the ethical implications of AI. This morning the Financial Times released an article on the ethical problem of using AI in law enforcement in China. Like something out of Minority Report, the Xinjiang region in China is seeing AI used for predictive policing. The algorithm uses such information as a citizens’ religion, travel history and family connections gained from a smartphone app. The algorithm will then identify suspicious people and they might be taken into custody.
A report by a US research group, Partnership, however has raised concerned with the way these predictive policing tools are designed. There is a danger that algorithms could repeat existing inequalities within the police department by using such inaccurate or bias data.
Earlier this year, in April, the EU published some ethical guidelines on AI which the FT described as ‘noteworthy’. The guidelines emphasis the importance of fundamental human rights when dealing with AI. It is hoped this will ensure that big firms, when developing AI technology will give top priority to human rights.
For more information check out the FT articles: AI Law Enforcement EU Guidelines
