New Export Controls on Advanced Computing and Semiconductor Manufacturing: Five Key Takeaways

On October 25, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published updated export controls on advanced computing items and semiconductor manufacturing equipment under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Specifically, BIS published two interim final rules that revise and expand on the restrictions implemented in the initial interim final rule issued on October 7, 2022 (October 7, 2022 rule).1

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AI Foundation Models: UK CMA’s Initial Report

The CMA has set out its emerging thinking on the functioning of competition and consumer protection in the market for foundation models.

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Schumer Framework May Forge U.S. Model on AI Governance

*This article first appeared on Law360 on September 5, 2023.

This summer, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a distinctive new framework to develop a comprehensive artificial intelligence regulatory policy that is intended to be adamantly bipartisan and committed, as a first principle, to preserving innovation and intellectual property rights.

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Alan Charles Raul

Washington, D.C., New York

araul@sidley.com

Regulatory Update: National Association of Insurance Commissioners Summer 2023 National Meeting

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its Summer 2023 National Meeting (Summer Meeting) from August 12–16, 2023. Highlights include continued development of accounting principles and investment limitations related to certain types of bonds and structured securities, continued discussion of considerations related to private equity ownership of insurers, a proposed model bulletin addressing the use of artificial intelligence by the insurance industry, and continued development of a new consumer privacy protections model law.

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EU, U.S., and UK Regulatory Developments on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Drug Lifecycle

Globally, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) raises fundamental questions about how the technology can be used. Drug approval authorities are now also taking part in this discussion, resulting in emerging and evolving guidelines and principles for drug companies.

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UK ICO Scrutinizes Use of Generative AI

Following the EU’s increased focus on generative AI with the inclusion of foundation and generative AI in the latest text of the EU AI Act (see our post here), the UK now also follows suit, with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) communicating on 15 June 2023 its intention to “review key businesses’ use of generative AI.” The ICO warned businesses not to be “blind to AI risks” especially in a “rush to see opportunity” with generative AI. Generative AI is capable of generating content e.g., complex text, images, audio or video, etc. and is viewed as involving more risk than other AI models because of its ability to be used across different sectors (e.g., law enforcement, immigration, employment, insurance and health), and so have a greater impact across society – including in relation to vulnerable groups.

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AI and the Role of the Board of Directors

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the capacity to disrupt entire industries, with implications for corporate strategy and risk, stakeholder relationships, and compliance that require the attention of the board of directors.

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SEC Proposes Sweeping New Rules on Use of Data Analytics by Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers

On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) proposed new rules for broker-dealers (Proposed Rule 15(1)-2) and investment advisers (Proposed Rule 211(h)(2)-4) on the use of predictive data analytics (PDA) and PDA-like technologies in any interactions with investors.1 However, as discussed below, the scope of a “covered technology” subject to the rules is much broader than what most observers would consider to constitute predictive data analytics. The proposal would require that anytime a broker-dealer or investment adviser uses a “covered technology” in connection with engaging or communicating with an investor (including exercising investment discretion on behalf of an investor), the broker-dealer or investment adviser must evaluate that technology for conflicts of interest and eliminate or neutralize those conflicts of interest. The proposed rules would apply even if the interaction with the investor does not rise to the level of a “recommendation.”

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Singapore PDPC Consultation on New Guidance for Use of Personal Data in AI Systems

On July 18, 2023, Singapore’s data protection authority published proposed guidelines on the use of personal data in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The guidelines will be up for public consultation until August 31, 2023, and aim to address how Singapore’s privacy laws will apply to organizations which develop or deploy AI systems. The draft guidelines underscore the significance placed by the privacy regulator on the need to ensure personal data protection, without discouraging organizations from responsibly using AI systems in their businesses. Accordingly, organizations interested in using AI can use the guidelines for insight into what privacy expectations lie in store once the guidelines are finalized.

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Australian Government Commences Public Consultation on National Regulatory Framework for the “Safe and Responsible” Use of AI

On 1 June 2023, the Australian Government published the Safe and Responsible AI in Australia: Discussion Paper (“Discussion Paper”) to seek public feedback on identifying the potential gaps in the existing domestic governance landscape and possible additional AI governance mechanisms to support the “safe and responsible” development of AI. As noted in the Discussion Paper, although AI has been identified as a “critical technology in Australia’s national interest”, AI adoption rates across Australia remain relatively low. A key aim of the Discussion Paper is to inform the Australian Government on the steps that should be taken on AI regulation in order to increase “community trust and confidence in AI”. The Discussion Paper addresses a broad range of AI technologies and techniques, such as self-driving cars and generative pre-trained transformers (also known as GPT), and notes that any AI regulatory framework would need to consider existing as well as possible future uses of AI and any ensuing risks. The Discussion Paper has an eight (8) week consultation period ending on 26 July 2023.

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