Technology & the Law - 2026 Virtual Conference

Introduction

This virtual conference explores the evolving intersection of law and emerging technologies. With a focus on AI, data protection, cryptoassets, and tech-driven legal services, the event covers the latest regulatory developments, risk management strategies, and practical tools for navigating the changing legal landscape. Key topics include AI risk assessments, international AI regulations, and compliance in the rapidly shifting digital space.

Conference Agenda

This live and interactive 5 hour conference will cover the following:

10am-11am: Assessing Data Protection, AI & Other Risk Assessments

Robert Bond, Solicitor, Notary Public and a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional

Before the GDPR we had Privacy Impact Assessment, and then we had Data Protection Impact Assessments, followed by Transfer Risk Assessments and now AI Risk Assessments. This presentation will highlight the requirements for risk assessments and the value of risk assessments.

Topics will include:

• Data Protection Impact Assessments
• Legitimate Interest Assessments
• Privacy by Design
• Transfer Risk Assessments
• AI Risk Assessments
• Cyber Risk Assessments

Morning Break

11:10am-12:10pm: International AI Regulation in 2026: Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Going?

Jacob Turner, Fountain Court

This session will help you to understand the interaction between international and national AI regulation, provide an overview of the UK position, and contrast the UK approach with other key global jurisdictions.

It will cover:

• Status of International AI Regulation in 2026
• UK:
• Government position on AI
• Sectoral regulation
• Data Use and Access Act 2025
• Law Commission Consultation on AI Responsibility
• EU:
• AI Act Implementation
• Prohibited AI provisions
• General Purpose AI provisions
• Product Liability Reforms
• Other Key Jurisdictions
• US
• China
• Future Trends

12:10pm-1:10pm: Current Cryptoasset Financial Promotion and Stablecoin Regulation and Guidance

Jeremy Barnett, Barrister, Gough Square, London & St Paul’s Chambers, Leeds

This session will provide an essential overview of the latest developments in the regulation of cryptoassets, with a particular focus on financial promotions and stablecoin regulations. Delegates will gain practical insights into the current regulatory landscape, including key compliance considerations, recent guidance, and the legal risks facing businesses and legal professionals. The session will also cover actionable strategies for managing these risks in a rapidly evolving area.

By the end of this session, delegates will:

• Understand the core principles of cryptoasset financial promotions and the regulatory framework surrounding them
• Be up to date on stablecoin regulation and how it impacts the broader digital asset market
• Learn practical steps for advising clients on compliance and legal risk management in cryptoasset transactions

Break for lunch

2-3pm: Your Compliance Checklist for When You are Considering Onboarding Tech at Your Law Firm (Including AI)

Peter Wright, Solicitor & Managing Director, Digital Law

When considering the use of technology for automation, or engaging AI for the drafting or delivery of legal services, a thorough process of due diligence should be undertaken to identify and assess the range of compliance issues that may arise from a legal and regulatory perspective before a signature is made on the dotted line.

This session will cover the following:

• Examples of questions that should form a due diligence checklist
• Common compliance issues
• Legal and regulatory considerations
• Application of the Data Protection Act 2018, the Data Use and Access Act (“DUAA”) and the EU AI Act
• Tech and AI Data Protection Impact Assessments (“DPIA”)
• Data Processing Agreements (“DPAs”)
• Case studies

Afternoon break

3:15-4:15pm: Hallucinations, Liability & the Black Box: What Lawyers Should Know About LLM Failure Modes

Charles Ciumei KC, Essex Court Chambers

A non-technical introduction to how large language models (LLMs) generate text, why they hallucinate or behave unpredictably, and what this means for legal risk. The session connects a technical insight into Generative AI to practical and liability issues that arise when lawyers or clients rely on AI tools.

You will:

• Gain an insight into how LLMs work and understand why they hallucinate
• Identify legal exposure arising from inaccurate or biased AI outputs in advisory and commercial contexts
• Learn simple validation and oversight practices that reduce risk when using Generative AI

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.