Don't Sue My AI! Scott McKinney on AI Legal Risk/Reward

Jul 10, 2024

Scott McKinney, a partner at Wilson Sonsini and co-founder of their global AI practice, shares his fascinating journey from computer science to law. He discusses the innovative AI tool his firm developed for contract writing, enhancing efficiency without sacrificing human oversight. Scott delves into the complexities of AI governance in large companies, emphasizing the need for thoughtful regulation. He also offers valuable advice for CEOs and aspiring AI professionals, highlighting the importance of understanding risks and continuous learning in this fast-evolving landscape.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

From Code to Court: A Journey of Unexpected Discoveries

02:33 • 3min

AI Innovations in Legal Practices

05:39 • 23min

Navigating AI Implementation: Key Considerations for CEOs

28:47 • 3min

Navigating Law School and AI Careers

32:07 • 4min

Rapid-Fire Ratings on Culture and Future Risks

35:59 • 4min

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford, Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole.

Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com

Scott McKinney, partner at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati PC and co-founder of their global AI practice, discusses his journey with computers, his decision to go to law school, and the impact of books like 'A Brief History of Time' on his interest in learning. He also talks about the use of AI in the legal field, including the development of an AI tool for contract writing and negotiation. Scott shares his insights on AI governance at big companies, the current state of AI regulation in the US, and ethical considerations in AI. He concludes with advice for CEOs adopting AI and undergrads interested in AI.

Takeaways

After majoring in computer science, Scott decided to go to law school because he realized that being a coder all day every day was not for him.
Scott's law firm has developed an AI tool for contract writing and negotiation, which helps companies streamline the review process and come up with proposed responses.
AI governance at big companies can be challenging, with the risk of either over-governing or adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Scott advises companies to be thoughtful and flexible in their AI governance.
The current state of AI regulation in the US involves various existing laws that apply to AI, such as privacy laws and consumer protection laws. Some states are also introducing specific AI regulations. The SEC has proposed
Ethical considerations in AI include issues of privacy, bias, and potential misuse of AI tools. Scott highlights the importance of being transparent and thoughtful in the use of AI.
For CEOs adopting AI, Scott advises understanding the specific risks and implications of using AI in their organization and implementing technical measures and clear notices to mitigate potential issues.

References/Resources

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin