Top AI Trends to Watch in 2025: Innovations Shaping the Future
Where to begin? The world of AI, my dear friends, is hurtling towards us faster than a runaway trolley problem! Just the other day, I was attempting to iron a shirt (a task I've never truly mastered, let's be honest) and I swear, I saw the iron eyeing me with a suspicious glint in its non-existent eyes. "Perhaps," I muttered, "it's learning..."
Now, before you accuse me of succumbing to a mid-life crisis, let's delve into the fascinating, and frankly, increasingly complex world of AI in 2025.
Top 3 Global Trends
1. The Evolving Regulatory Landscape:
Focus: The rapid evolution of AI regulations globally.
Impact: Companies need to stay abreast of changing rules in different jurisdictions (e.g., EU AI Act, UK AI Strategy, ICO recommendations, UK Government Consultations, Cyber Resilience Act), ensuring compliance and avoiding costly legal challenges.
Key Considerations:
Data privacy and security: GDPR updates, cross-border data transfer restrictions. Reminder - European Data Protection Board Opinion 28/2024 (17 December 2024) on processing of personal data in the context of AI models; and the UK Data (Use and Access) Bill.
Algorithmic bias and fairness: Regulations addressing discrimination and ensuring equitable outcomes. Consider – intellectual property concerns and dataset quality.
Liability and accountability: Determining responsibility for AI-powered decisions and their consequences, including AI-specific contract clauses.
2. Geopolitical Competition and AI Dominance:
Focus: The global race for AI supremacy among major powers. Reminder – Draghi Report (September 2024) on “The future of European competitiveness”. AI supremacy (or a less dramatic phrase) expects to be a topic at this year’s Davos meeting (World Economic Forum). The WEF has estimated that electricity demand from AI enhanced industries could reach 1,000 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2026, as compared to 460 TWh today. This fact alone highlights the split between economies that have the budget to invest, and those that do not.
Impact: Potential for increased restrictions on technology transfer, data access, and AI development in certain regions.
Key Considerations:
Supply chain disruptions: Potential for disruptions in access to critical AI technologies and components.
National security concerns: Increased scrutiny of AI technologies with potential dual-use applications.
International cooperation: The need for international collaboration to address global challenges and ensure responsible AI development.
3. The Rise of AI-Powered Cybersecurity Threats:
Focus: The emergence of sophisticated AI-powered threats, such as deepfakes, AI-driven malware, and autonomous cyberattacks.
Impact: Increased risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and disruption of critical infrastructure.
Key Considerations:
AI-powered defences: The need to develop and deploy AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to combat emerging threats. Consider – Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
Data security and privacy: Protecting sensitive data from AI-powered attacks.
Building resilient systems: Enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure to AI-powered cyberattacks.
From a local level, many will be looking at multimodal AI and AI Agents, from their use and to their impact on the existing workforce during, balanced against what some call the Great Resignation 2.0.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
First, the legal wrangling! Imagine, if you will, a courtroom drama where the opposing counsel is not flesh and blood, but a sleek, chrome-plated AI lawyer, spitting out legal citations faster than you can say "objection!" (And probably with far better hair.) The UK is already grappling with this, with the government pondering the thorny issue of AI-generated content and copyright.
The UK Copyright and AI consultation, 17 December 2024, has sparked up a fresh debate. We're also witnessing landmark cases like the UK’s Emotional Perception AI Ltd v. Intellectual Property Office case (on appeal to the Supreme Court), which explores the patentability of AI-created inventions. Can a machine truly be creative? Can it possess that spark of divine inspiration that leads to a groundbreaking invention? The courts are currently grappling with this very question, and frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if we soon see AI filing its own patent applications. Imagine the inventor's meeting – a room full of blinking lights and whirring servos, all vying for the coveted "Most Innovative Algorithm" award. What next, Legal500 and Chambers doling out a Rising Star award for the first robot lawyer?
Furthermore, cases like in Canada, Toronto Star Newspapers and Others v Open AI and, in Germany, GEMA v Open AI highlight the legal challenges surrounding the use of copyrighted material (news articles; musical works) in AI training data. And let's not forget, in USA, Millett v OpenAI, which alleges unjust enrichment and unfair competition against OpenAI and other major tech companies.
Recent UK legislation, such as the Data (Use and Access) Bill, the Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill, the Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill, and the Property (digital Assets etc) Bill, demonstrate continued focus by the new(ish) UK Government on all things digital. We may yet see the UK’s AI Act finding its way back on to the UK legislative agenda (perhaps under product liability laws).
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has also issued recommendations on the use of AI tools in recruitment, emphasizing the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability. The effect on employment and employment law is a real challenge.
Beyond the Courtroom: AI Takes Over (But in a Good Way, I Promise!)
But fear not, my friends! AI isn't just about cold, hard logic and legal jargon. Oh no, no, no. It's about to infiltrate every corner of our lives, from the mundane to the utterly ridiculous.
Imagine a world where your AI Agent not only schedules your meetings but also orders your groceries, writes your witty comeback for that awkward family gathering, and even composes a charming love letter to your significant other (though perhaps not as poetic those written by Ludwig van Beethoven to his “Immortal Beloved”).
That’s all interesting but what should be on my radar now?
AI Literacy: The EU AI Act, Feb 2025, will likely drive a stronger emphasis on AI literacy across society, including for professionals like in-house lawyers.
2025 Events: The upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos (Jan 2025) will undoubtedly feature prominent discussions on AI, its implications, and the role of regulation. In the UK, look for tech-focused conferences this summer, like LegalTechTalk and London Tech Week, to delve into AI-related topics and their impact on the UK economy.
The Rise of AI-Powered Legal Services: Expect to see the increased growth around AI-powered legal services, such as AI-driven legal research platforms, automated contract drafting tools, and even AI-powered legal assistants.
Financial Growth and Cybersecurity Risks
It's not just about legal battles and witty robots; AI is set to become a major economic force (UK growth rate of 27.60%, with 2025 market size to reach US$7.95bn) While others report that for some AI tech there are major concerns that could dampen this - ‘hallucinations’, which large language models like ChatGPT can produce. Check out an academic article from the University of Glasgow entitled “ChatGPT is bulls**t”, (their words, not mine - don’t tell my mother!)
However, this rapid growth also brings with it a set of risks to employment where nearly 40% of global employment is exposed to AI (per World Economic Forum) and also to significant cybersecurity risks.
On top of that, as AI systems become more sophisticated, they also become more attractive targets for cyberattacks. The National Cyber Security Centre indicated a real possibility of AI-powered cyber threats, including malware, phishing attacks, and deepfakes. In-house lawyers will play a crucial role in mitigating these risks.
Actionable Steps for In-House Lawyers:
Stay Informed: Continuously monitor AI developments, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.
Develop AI Literacy: Invest in AI education and training for yourself and your team.
Assess AI Risks: Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential legal and ethical risks associated with AI, including cybersecurity threats.
Embrace AI-Powered Tools: Explore and implement AI-powered tools to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Engage in the Conversation: Participate in discussions and debates around AI ethics, governance, and regulation.
Final Words
The future of AI is uncertain, but one thing is clear: it will require ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and a commitment to responsible innovation. By understanding the cutting-edge applications of AI, navigating the regulatory landscape, and embracing a proactive approach, in-house lawyers, remain the guardians of good sense in this crazy world. Let's keep our wits about us and ensure AI is used responsibly.
At RMOK Legal, we can help you navigate the complexities of AI. Please feel free to reach out to me us to schedule a discovery call or simply to share your thoughts to info@rmoklegal.com.
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.