Alan Wilson Appears on The Pre Read Podcast Interview
In the latest episode of Workiva's The Pre Read podcast, Alan Wilson, an expert in legal considerations for AI, shared his insights on representing AI's capabilities without misrepresentation and best practices for businesses implementing AI.
The discussion focused on the legal, ethical, and regulatory landscape for AI, covering a range of topics from intellectual property rights to the risks of negligent misrepresentation.
One key point Wilson emphasised was the importance of obtaining clear permissions and respecting publicity and intellectual property rights when creating AI-generated content using personal likeness or voice. He cited a U.S. federal case involving AI-generated voice cloning that dismissed trademark and copyright claims but left open claims under state publicity laws.
Another crucial aspect Wilson discussed was the need for businesses to conduct rigorous verification of AI outputs to avoid misrepresentation issues. He highlighted a legal case where an attorney faced sanctions for repeatedly submitting AI-generated, fabricated legal citations, underscoring the importance of verifying AI outputs before public or official use.
Transparency and disclosure were also highlighted as essential in marketing and client communications. Failure to disclose that content was AI-generated can breach ethical and legal standards, potentially resulting in disciplinary action.
Wilson also warned about the liability for AI-generated misinformation in customer service or operational tools. He cited a Canadian tribunal case where Air Canada was held liable for negligent misrepresentation when its AI chatbot gave incorrect refund advice, demonstrating that companies remain responsible for AI-generated misinformation on their platforms.
The podcast episode offered a comprehensive exploration of these topics and more, providing valuable insights into the use of AI in businesses. Steve Soter and Alyssa Zucker co-hosted the episode, guiding the conversation with thoughtful questions and engaging discussion.
The full podcast episode featuring Wilson's discussion on legal considerations for AI is available for listening. The podcast episode, titled "The Pre Read," is produced by Workiva and offers perspectives on representing AI's capabilities accurately.
In today's rapidly evolving AI landscape, businesses must carefully manage intellectual property, ensure transparency and accuracy in AI-generated content, comply with emerging regulations, and uphold ethical obligations including disclosure and risk mitigation. By adopting these best practices, businesses can leverage AI technology responsibly while mitigating legal risks and ethical responsibilities.
[1] [Citation for intellectual property rights case] [2] [Citation for case involving AI-generated, fabricated legal citations] [3] [Citation for case involving failure to disclose AI use in legal communications] [4] [Citation for case involving Air Canada and AI chatbot liability] [5] [Citation for American Bar Association guidance on AI use for legal professionals]
- As AI technology continues to advance, it's crucial for businesses to understand and implement artificial-intelligence best practices, such as obtaining clear permissions and respecting publicity and intellectual property rights, conducting rigorous verification of AI outputs, and fostering transparency and disclosure to avoid legal and ethical issues.
- Failure to properly manage AI-generated content or misrepresent AI capabilities can result in serious consequences, including legal cases like the one involving AI-generated voice cloning that dismisses trademark and copyright claims but leaves open claims under state publicity laws, or the case where an attorney faced sanctions for using AI-generated, fabricated legal citations.
