Robots, automation, COVID-19 hot topics at ABA AI and Robotics Institute Oct. 12-13

The American Bar Association Science & Technology Law Section will hold its Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Virtual National Institute online, Oct. 12-13.

The accelerated use of AI and robotics during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the legal challenges associated with creating and deploying such technology, which includes robotic assisted surgery and people using automated registers at the grocery store. Legal and technology experts will discuss the challenges in various sectors including health care, financial, transportation, energy, utilities, manufacturing, telecom, IT, real estate, government, defense/national security and retail/consumer services.

Alka Patel, chief, responsible for AI ethics policy for the Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), will give the keynote address on Tuesday, at 11:15 a.m. On Wednesday at 11:05 a.m., the keynote address will be given by Mehran Saham, professor and associate chair for education in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University.

Program highlights include:

• “Take Me to Your Leader: AI and Robotics Policy in the Biden Administration” — This session will address President Joe Biden’s AI policy updates, priorities and policies. Speakers include R. Patrick Huston, brigadier general, U.S. Army, assistant judge advocate general; Kristin J. Madigan, former attorney in the Division of Privacy & Identity Protection, Bureau of Consumer Protection; and Alka Patel, chief, responsible for AI ethics policy for the Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.—Tuesday, Oct. 12, 11:45 to 12:45 p.m.

• “Face Off: Recent Developments Regarding Facial Recognition Technology and Implications for The Legal Community,” — This panel will review the history of facial recognition technology and review its current uses and legal issues, including social implications and how judges and courts are handling emerging technology matters. Speakers include Chris Hydak, senior corporate counsel for the Microsoft Corporation; Eric Y. Drogin, faculty member, Harvard Medical School; and Judge Paul Grimm, U.S. District Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The moderator will be Cynthia Cwik, strategic advisor; former fellow, Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute, Stanford University.—Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

• “Hack Attack: Robots, AI Systems, and Information Security”— Panelists will discuss what business owners can do to cut down on security breaches and liability related to AI systems and robots. Speakers include Cesar Cerrudo, chief technology officer, IOActive Labs; Eric A. Hibbard, director, product planning for at Samsung Semiconductor Inc.; Lucy L. Thomson, founding principal, Livingston PLLC; and the moderator will be Steven Millendorf, senior counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP.—Wednesday, Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30  p.m.

To register for the online institute, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/science_technology.