Artificial Intelligence

Akin represents many of the most influential technology and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, as well as investors and operating companies pursuing AI opportunities. Our global, interdisciplinary team handles complex transactional, regulatory, policy and litigation matters, coordinating seamlessly across the AI value chain throughout the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

We advise on matters driven by the full spectrum of AI technologies, including generative AI and frontier large language models (LLMs), agentic AI, autonomous systems and robotics, edge AI and AI of Things (AIoT) devices, AI hardware and digital infrastructure, and applied machine learning. Our team bridges the widening gap between the increasing rate of technological development and evolving laws, with an eye towards what’s coming next in both.

Broad Client Base

Our clients span the entire AI ecosystem—from frontier innovators developing foundational AI models and hardware (such as AI accelerators), to businesses deploying AI in established areas, applying a range of tech to their operations, such as computer vision, natural language processing, data analytics, drug discovery and autonomous systems. We also advise key investors in this space, including investment funds, institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). Among many high-profile matters, Akin represented OpenAI in its multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment from Microsoft.

Industry Leaders

Akin’s market-leading AI lawyers & advisors bring deep expertise in government, technology, computer science, electrical engineering and intelligent information systems. The team monitors not only pending laws and regulations, but also stays up-to-date on AI research papers and hardware development updates—keeping tabs on upcoming issues our clients will face. Our team includes former members of Congress and other lawyers and professionals with considerable public & private sector experience, including those with AI Governance Professional (AIGP) and Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US and CIPP/E) credentials.

Akin’s AI counsel include:

Lawyers ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Chambers UK and Chambers USA.
Lawyers named among California’s Top Cyber/AI Lawyers.
Former Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology (Science Committee), who was the first member of Congress to hold a hearing on AI.
Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
Former Chief Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Former Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and current member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Former GC and chief privacy officer at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
Former Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Deputy General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Former Chief Health Advisor for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Associate Chief Counsel and Office of the Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Senior Counsel.
Former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation and International Affairs.

Global Reach

Akin has established a stronghold in key financial and innovative centers across the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We maintain a strong presence in major cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. in the U.S.; Hong Kong and Singapore in Asia; Geneva and London in Europe; and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh in the Middle East. This global network enables us to provide comprehensive legal services and support to clients in diverse and dynamic markets.

Services In-Depth

Regulatory

Akin’s regulatory practice offers wide-ranging experience, advising on the emerging legal & regulatory issues impacting the development and deployment of AI systems.

Akin is the premier firm for export controls & economic sanctions related to AI. Our renowned international trade lawyers guide multinational companies and other AI clients through strategic transactions, regulatory frameworks and disputes.

We have deep experience in export classification and licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), economic sanctions and trade embargoes. We evaluate the applicability of export control laws & sanctions on AI technologies, noting that AI systems may be classified as a dual-use technology. Our team obtains the necessary export licenses and regulatory approvals before transferring AI hardware, technology and software internationally.

We assist clients on national security reviews of inbound and outbound investments and conduct due diligence reviews of investments and transactions, which may require review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the U.K. Investment Security Unit, the Italian Golden Power Office, the German BMWK, the Swedish ISP, the French MINEFI and many other investment screening authorities and government regulatory authorities. In the U.K., we have represented investors in the first two mitigation cases under the U.K. National Security & Investment Act (NSIA), together with the precedent-setting NSIA judicial review and appellate compensation judgment.

Akin offers guidance on cybersecurity, privacy & data protection implications of AI systems, particularly those processing personal data and emerging risks, such as AI agents. Further, we advise on data governance frameworks to comply with data protection regulations.

Our data protection lawyers assess AI applications’ compliance with privacy regulations and emerging AI-specific privacy requirements, including as related to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws. We also assist clients in implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including performing regular audits, “human-in-the-loop” oversight, alignment with industry standards and best practices, protecting against unauthorized access and adversarial cyber attacks. On the risk mitigation front, we help develop clear data handling and breach response protocols to reduce liability risks tied to privacy compliance and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Our team also has significant experience in the antitrust & international competition area, conducting multijurisdictional merger control analyses, navigating and obtaining antitrust and regulatory approvals for complex transactions. We have represented SWFs, AI technology platforms, private equity and asset management firms in their investments in AI-related products/services/technology. We also counsel in this area, and monitor and horizon scan for potential antitrust issues, especially in cases of industry consolidation or strategic partnerships with dominant tech players.

In addition, we advise on government contracts, environment & natural resources, sustainability, HHS regulations, including FDA rules and regulations, securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS)/supply chain, and other international trade and regulatory issues, including the AI Diffusion Framework.

Transactions & Investments

Akin has a dedicated technology transactions team advising AI, corporate and investment fund clients through every stage of an investment or transaction lifecycle and beyond. Our team provides strategic, commercial advice to support long-term growth and resilience in the ever-changing technology landscape.

From large-scale, cross-border acquisitions to early-stage investments, we bring deep expertise across all elements of technology transactions, including mergers & acquisitions (M&A), intellectual property (IP), tax, antitrust and employment. Our energy & infrastructure practice is deeply involved in all aspects of transactions driven by the infrastructure needs of AI such as data centers.

We advise on M&A, private equity, growth and venture investments and transactions involving AI-focused companies or startups, including providing AI- and data-related due diligence and scrutinizing the models used by acquisition targets and the source of their training data.

Akin has broad experience with investment funds and accounts with strategies that encompass AI and AI-related investments. We provide advice on the formation, structuring and regulation of investment funds and accounts. Our team advises sponsors in connection with the launch and ongoing operations of fund vehicles investing in AI-focused companies and infrastructure, including closed-end, evergreen and hybrid fund structures, as well as institutional investors seeking to invest in AI-focused funds.

On behalf of clients pursuing AI investment opportunities, we provide comprehensive advice on investment and operational structures to maximize tax efficiency while aligning with evolving tax policies.

Data Centers & Digital Infrastructure

Akin is a leading advisor to investors, funders, developers, operators and service providers in the data centers & digital infrastructure market. We have assisted in the development, acquisition and disposition of more than 50 data centers, working with data center operators, prominent investment funds, family offices and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Our firm is at the forefront of representing clients across the lifecycle of domestic and international data center investments, projects, transactions and operations. Learn more about our data centers & digital infrastructure work.

AI Governance & Risk Management

Akin evaluates and advises clients on mitigating risks associated with the development, deployment and use of AI.

From advising boards of directors, C-suite executives and general counsel on the use of AI to representing clients developing LLMs, we are often the first call for companies and investors navigating today’s complex regulatory landscape. We assist in creating and implementing internal policies, procedures and programs for responsible AI use and we advise on governance structures aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency.

Further, our team advises on the development of AI systems aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework, including the need for bias review gates at each stage of the process, as well as other industry standards and best practices.

Intellectual Property

We help clients protect existing IP, including patents, trademarks, copyright & media and trade secrets, used with AI tools and AI-generated content through IP rights. We provide strategic advice on the ownership and commercialization of company information & trade secrets, synthetic & derivative data and generated content. In addition, we assess potential IP infringement (both offensive and defensive), help secure robust IP ownership and licensing clauses, and appropriate liability provisions, and we provide comprehensive litigation services from trial court through appeal.

We have litigated hundreds of complex patent cases in federal district courts throughout the country and before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), as well as appeals to the Federal Circuit. Our team also has a wealth of experience handling inter partes reviews (IPRs) on behalf of patent owners as well as petitioners. Our practice group includes technically savvy and seasoned trial lawyers who have practiced extensively before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Our IP group has extensive experience in handling all manner of domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, involving the creation, use, licensing and transfer of technology and IP, which include AI technology. We routinely handle all aspects of such IP transactions and licensing, and we assist decision-makers in matters involving asset value, litigation risks and/or IP portfolio coverage, among other issues.

Our team also drafts and negotiates contracts related to AI development, procurement and deployment, including licensing agreements for AI software, datasets and contractual clauses regarding training data. From determining who owns the underlying algorithms, models, artifacts, training data, and other input materials, to understanding the IP considerations of using third-party data to train models, our lawyers evaluate systems and help identify ways to protect our clients’ rights in AI-generated content.

Lobbying & Public Policy

Our top-tier lobbying & public policy lawyers & advisors leverage their formidable experience and expansive network to help AI clients proactively engage with key policymakers and craft messaging customized to regulatory priorities, among other types of advocacy.

Akin’s lawyers and lobbyists closely monitor AI developments at state, federal and international levels. This extensive knowledge and network benefit both our public policy clients and provides a value-add in engagements related to legal and regulatory issues.

Our teams are engaged with the Washington, D.C. policy and think tank community on issues related to AI regulation, such as assessing and defining threats presented by AI, and how/whether to regulate “frontier” AI models and/or open-source LLMs. Our group is comprised of former members of Congress, committee staff and federal agency officials with strong government relationships. The team includes those with pivotal roles in early congressional hearings and legislative initiatives concerning AI.

Investigations, Enforcement & Litigation

Our team of former government prosecutors, civil enforcement lawyers, and financial regulatory and compliance standard experts guides clients in navigating AI-related and data-driven disputes & litigation proceedings and government investigations and enforcement matters.

We assess litigation risks associated with the development and use of AI and we stay abreast of regional and international regulations that shape the permissible use and deployment of AI technologies and other transformative advancements.

Akin’s formidable congressional investigations team helps clients respond to the challenges they face when confronted with a congressional, executive commission or other special governmental investigation. Our state attorneys general investigations & litigation team handles the full range of AG-related services, including defending enforcement actions involving AI. We also represent AI clients in crisis management matters.

Amid the rise in AI-related securities claims, our securities litigation team advises asset managers, companies and their directors on alleged fraud in the sale of securities, aggressive projections, misleading statements and restatements, and disclosures related to the use of AI.

We also provide counsel on consumer class actions against companies for data breaches, and the improper collection, storage and use of data in relation to AI systems such as the use of biometric identifiers employing AI technology.

In the labor & employment arena, we counsel employers facing AI-related claims and provide guidance on the deployment of AI in the workplace. We also advise companies on compliance with the myriad data protection laws in jurisdictions worldwide.

Akin AI Resources

AI Law & Regulation Tracker

Akin’s AI Law & Regulation Tracker curates key global coverage of the latest AI developments to keep you informed about policy, law and other events shaping the industry. Visit here.

Akin Intelligence

Our newsletter, Akin Intelligence, covers the latest news and developments on the AI revolution and its impact on your business. Subscribe here.

OverRuled

OverRuled is the groundbreaking legal data productivity platform that uses Akin’s proprietary AI tool, Sanctions Sidekick, to empower lawyers and compliance practitioners to search for and analyze sanctions & export control enforcement, interrogate guidance offered by regulators and calculate estimated penalties for suspected violations. Visit here.

Representative Work

Regulatory

Advising a prominent AI company in navigating novel questions on how U.S. export controls may impact AI models, including:
- Implementing policies and practices that position the company to conduct its work in compliance with U.S. export control regulations, including the AI Diffusion Rule before it was rescinded and the uncertain landscape following.
- Developing trade compliance language for the company’s code of conduct and provided guidance on the intersection of export controls and employment practices.
- Preparing various guardrails documents to help ensure the day-to-day work of the individuals on those teams are compliant with applicable export control restrictions.
Represented a leading LLM in the U.K. Competition & Markets Authority AI Foundation Models Report and subsequent Update Paper.
Providing advice to an Asian venture capital firm on U.S. export control rules, CFIUS and the Outbound Investment Security Program in connection with AI-related investments.
Representing a global technology company in response to the United States Government (USG) outreach and planned proactive engagement on novel regulatory issues concerning AI, the regulation of open and closed models and ML capabilities.
Represented investors in the first two mitigation cases under the U.K. National Security & Investment Act, together with the precedent-setting NSIA judicial review and appellate compensation judgment.
Guiding a high-tech company in interpreting new export control & sanctions regulations (particularly with respect to China, Hong Kong, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine), identifying the business impact of the recent advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing rules, and developing compliance processes and solutions to respond to the new rules and their application to encryption software and consumer electronics.
Provided legal and regulatory support to a multinational medical device and diagnostics company, regarding issues relating to use of AI/ML and software, and regulatory developments in the U.S. regarding how FDA and the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT regulate medical technology that uses AI/ML and software generally.
Advised major international AI companies and major investment funds on definition of covered AI systems, engaged in technical threshold discussions, and other outbound investment related topics.
Representing a technology company that provides tools to providers and other entities across the health care delivery system, on navigating proposed regulations issued by the HHS Office of the National Coordinator, and related HHS procurement regulations, which could expand, for the first time, health IT interoperability and certification requirements beyond electronic health records.
Advising U.S. semiconductor, AI and other high-technology companies regarding compliance with the EAR, including the prohibitions pertaining to activities involving foreign companies on the EAR’s Entity List, Denied Persons List and Unverified List.
Advising technology companies regarding complex jurisdictional, classification, interpretation and licensing issues associated with the controls of the ITAR and the EAR.
Providing advice to companies regarding the applicability of the Treasury Department’s CFIUS regulations to transactions and business plans, particularly with respect to matters involving “critical technologies” such as AI-enabled applications.
Advising numerous AI clients on the CFIUS review process, including negotiating and implementing mitigation agreements to obtain CFIUS clearance.
Advising technology clients in connection with actions and risks associated with supply chain regulations.
Representing both U.S. and non-U.S. companies building data centers abroad to support AI workloads and to address the shortage of advanced computing resources.
Advising numerous U.S. investors assessing and navigating national security risks associated with investments in data centers projects overseas.
Leading investigations and the subpoena response for major technology and AI companies, as the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) ramps up its scrutiny of U.S. technology companies’ partnerships with Chinese entities.
Advised a global company on an array of legal considerations involving the metaverse and Web3 technologies, including AI, biometrics, false advertising, cybersecurity, digital assets, blockchain and data privacy.
Represented boards of directors and international companies in U.S. and cross-border investigations and litigations involving technology, AI, cybersecurity and national security matters.
Advised sovereign entities in relation to foreign investment and financial regulatory, cybersecurity, AI governance, emerging technologies and other risk mitigation matters.

Advising a wide range of technology and AI clients, including investors in the technology sector, innovative digital companies, stakeholders in the financial and national security/defense sectors, in relation to practical implications of the EU AI Act.
Assisting a U.N. Special Rapporteur in relation to a proposed third-party intervention in two cases before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to AI-enhanced targeted and untargeted surveillance.
Advising a user of web scraping technologies/services in relation to European privacy laws.
Advising a not-for-profit focused on developing a new ecosystem operating under a paradigm of human autonomy and agency via computational systems on the (as it then was) EU White Paper regulating AI.
Advising a foundational AI platform utilizing LLMs on all aspects of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Foundational AI review.
Advised a U.S. cancer care hospital system on its AI-related agreement and whether the agreement’s exclusivity milestones were met.
Guided a startup through the process of drafting and applying for an export license to export servers to the Middle East to build an expansive data center intended to provide data center infrastructure services that enable customers in the U.S. to run AI workloads.
Representing an AI advisory firm in seeking FDA authorization for a diagnostic test to identify people who are at risk for opioid use disorder.
Serving as principal legal advisor to a technology firm regarding all aspects of the new regulatory regime that targets U.S. person investments in the semiconductor, quantum computing and AI sectors in China.
Representing OpenAI in competition authority reviews and investigations.
Advising a global platform on the European Digital Strategy, EU and U.K. AI policy and CMA investigations into digital markets.
Assisting a wide variety of clients, including software, cloud and technology companies, on compliance with emerging AI laws and regulations.
Advising one of the Big Tech companies on the impact of major, recently finalized or in-development AI legislation or regulation across six key jurisdictions, analyzing the key patterns and trends across these developments in order to advise product groups on requirements that impact product development or operation.
Advising a leading online dating and networking application on compliance with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in relation to existing and planned product offerings.
Advising a global leader in security analytics software in relation to impact of the EU AI Act on their products.
Advising an autonomous vehicles developer on compliance with AI and privacy laws in the Middle East.
Advising a leading wireless telecommunications operator on AI laws and regulations impacting the establishment of a joint venture (JV) focused on co-developing and launching a multilingual telco LLM.

Transactions & Investments

Represented OpenAI in its multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment from Microsoft. The investment allows OpenAI to continue its independent research and develop AI that is increasingly safe, useful and powerful.
Advised a UAE investment firm in connection with the establishment of an AI-focused JV with a tech products and solutions company and an agentic AI solutions company, together with related transactions, including the acquisition of an AI company.
Advised the lead investor in a financing round for a California-based fintech startup. The company runs investment funds where AI models trade in the stock and cryptocurrency markets.
Advised a UAE alternative investment firm in relation to its various investments and co-investments in AI technology groups in the UAE and U.S.
Represented a leading AI company on an equity fundraising round, with several prominent venture capital firms purchasing new shares.
Acted for a growth equity firm on its take-private of a premier provider of AI-fueled customer intelligence solutions.
Advised a Middle Eastern SWF in relation to an acquisition of a stake in and regulatory advice pertaining to a medical AI product.
Represented Endava, a leading technology services company (including AI and data services), in its acquisition of GalaxE Group Inc., a global IT and business solutions provider.
Advised Vista Credit Partners in a $150-million global debt financing of Afiniti, the world’s leading provider of AI-based behavioral pairing technology.
Advised OpenAI in its first public acquisition in which it absorbed Global Illumination, a company that leverages AI to build creative tools, infrastructure and digital experiences
Represented TrillerVerz in its merger with SeaChange. TrillerVerz will be a NASDAQ-listed company and positioned to be a leading AI-powered social media platform for content, creators and commerce, valued at $5 billion.
Represented a global asset manager in a $60 million financing for a manufacturer of AI-powered ultrasound devices.
Represented a global media agency that maximizes the combination of artificial intelligence and human intelligence for its clients, in its acquisition of Exverus Media.
Advised a growth equity firm in its investment in an AI speech technology company.
Represented a global asset manager in its minority investment in a leading provider of data center and telecom services in South America.
Represented a private equity firm in its preferred equity investment in and later buyout of a leading provider of managed hosting services and data centers.
Advised funds managed by an asset management firm on a majority investment in a fiber optic communications infrastructure provider to address the increasing demand for fiber connectivity across hyperscale data centers and other use cases driven by AI and the cloud.
Serving as lead counsel for a global AI company and conducting transactional due diligence and providing related advice for more than 20 domestic and cross-border transactions.

AI Governance & Risk Management

Working with a number of companies to assist and develop internal policies for responsible AI use and advising on governance structures to ensure accountability and transparency, including providing guidance on training employees on AI policies.
Advised a UAE SWF on the development and implementation of its data and AI program, including the drafting of key legal and operational documents and negotiating with internal stakeholders, external service providers and portfolio companies.
Assisted a leading investment management firm in developing policies and procedures and providing SEC compliance and IP advice regarding the use of AI tools.
Advising asset managers on the responsible and compliant use of AI technologies and big data in investment decisions and processes, including:
- Counseling on data sources and information from data providers, including those offering big data and other non-traditional research materials.
- Developing policies governing the use and restrictions of AI-generated data and AI-driven engines.
- Performing due diligence on various alternative data providers and amending contracts to provide prophylactic representation regarding their business practices.
- Advising clients on research and data collection practices and procedures to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
Providing numerous companies with comprehensive assessments of AI-related regulations across different jurisdictions and offering guidance on developing international AI standards and best practices.
On behalf of clients, monitoring AI-related litigation and enforcement actions then advising on the impact on clients and identifying potential litigation risks associated with the development and use of AI.
Assisting a manufacturer working to operationalize AI technologies such as facial recognition.
Advising a leading security analytics software company on novel legal and regulatory compliance issues regarding AI/ML.
Advising numerous companies and investors on ethical guardrails around the use of AI applications in the workplace.

Intellectual Property

Representing global technology and AI companies in patent infringement litigation in federal district courts and at the ITC and post-grant proceedings at the PTAB.
Representing numerous AI, data center and digital infrastructure clients on a range of patent litigation matters, including serving as lead counsel in district court actions and ITC investigations, and advising the clients on patent eligibility under Section 101.
Representing various investment funds and AI & technology corporations in district courts across the country and at the ITC, including for post-grant proceedings before the PTAB and in IPR proceedings.
Advising a multinational technology company in connection with export control classification and licensing for new platforms and products, including novel AI & ML technologies.
Providing export controls & sanctions advice to an Asian technology company that offers a billing platform for SaaS and AI businesses.
Representing a global high technology company in the following areas:
- Interpreting new export control & sanctions regulations (particularly with respect to China, Hong Kong, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine), identifying the business impact of the recent advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing rules, and developing compliance processes and solutions to respond to the new rules and their application to encryption software and consumer electronics.
- Providing timely export control classification and licensing support for new technologies and products, including novel ML and AI technologies.
- Developing sanctions compliance tools to review large-scale projects and efforts.
- Counseling on key interpretive sanctions and export control issues that impact technology companies.
- Reviewing and drafting trade control language in large JV projects.
- Providing advice on transactional due diligence and domestic and cross-border transactions.
Advising a multibillion-dollar private fund on the rights and obligations assumed regarding various AI products under consideration, with particular attention to protecting IP and confidential information in both inputs and outputs of the AI products.
Advising one of the largest active investment funds in the world regarding use of AI tools.
Advising a multinational hedge fund and financial services company on the rights and obligations assumed regarding various AI products under consideration.
Analyzing the likelihood of success and risk associated with IP cases brought against generative AI companies, including copyright cases targeting music generators, for investor clients.
Advising on and preparing agreements for AI development efforts with updated IP definitions to include AI elements not contemplated in standard IP clauses.
Advising media clients on developing practices in licensing content for AI training, including non-monetary aspects unique to the AI market.

Lobbying & Public Policy

Providing specialized lobbying and advisory services to a premier AI company. Advice is focusing on critical AI policy issues to ensure the client’s interests are effectively represented in legislative and regulatory discussions.
Offering numerous multinational technology clients customized lobbying and advisory services focused on data privacy and IT modernization to ensure that their interests are well represented in legislative and regulatory debates.
Engaged by a computing software company to provide strategic counsel and legislative advocacy on federal policy matters relating to quantum computing and AI. Also providing federal policy counsel and general brand building advisory for the client before the U.S. Congress, White House and NASA.
Advising a global health care technology company on domestic and international AI policy, implementing AI-related policies, drafting and submitting AI-related regulatory and/or advocacy related materials, and advocating for the client’s preferred AI policy before Congress and the executive branch.
Engaged by the leading U.S. developer of lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles, with strong capabilities in AI-powered safety algorithms, material, cell, module and recycling, to ensure the Department of the Treasury promulgates workable and effective guidance for the implementation of tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for companies operating in the AI and ML space.
Representing a data analytics company, that operates a first-of-its-kind commercial satellite constellation using AI to identify, process and geolocate a broad set of radio frequency signals, in successfully securing federal funding for largely classified national security interests.
Working with the NIST on AI standards.
Successfully advocated on behalf of clients by supporting policies that facilitate the ethical implementation of AI in crucial sectors such as health care & life sciences.
Developing comprehensive government relations strategies for leading technology companies to address challenges related to AI ethics, IP and content, including misinformation.
Played a pivotal role in establishing the Coalition for 21st Century American Infrastructure (AI21). This coalition is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by the swift integration and adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. AI21 collaborates with its members to advocate for policies that ensure energy reliability and affordability, serving as a key resource for Congress and the executive branch as they work to foster innovation and secure long-term economic growth through visionary energy policies.
Providing advice to an international technology company on issues involving supply chain management, global competition and federal technology procurement. Advocating for policies that promote efficient and secure supply chains that strengthen the client’s global market position, as well as advocating against policy proposals that could make it more difficult for the client to compete with non-U.S. based companies.
Counseling clients on issues related to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), federal appropriations, and policy issues and proposals related to export controls and AI. Facilitating effective communication with key policy-makers and stakeholders to ensures the client’s interests are well represented and influential in shaping legislation within the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Representing a company that manufactures AI-powered electronics test and measurement equipment and software, to ensure it adheres to international rules for exporting goods and dealing with sanctions, including in connection with the ITAR Consent Agreement.
Advised numerous leading tech and AI companies on the implications of AI Executive Order 14110 and the various initiatives resulting from those directives. Advised both large model developers and deployers on the new closed model weights control (4E091) included in the Diffusion Rule, including how its technical notes would apply to calculating compute used in more complex training and assisted in preparing comments in response to the rule, such as the overreaching impact of the technical notes in light of groundbreaking techniques created after the Diffusion Rule was published.
Advising a technology company on the applicability of recent HHS proposals and helping them craft an advocacy strategy designed to persuade HHS to avoid adopting policies that would unnecessarily harm the company and its clients.
Advised an autonomous vehicle company which uses AI on the implications of CFIUS/FIRRMA on various investments and projects.

List includes matters handled by Akin lawyers prior to joining the firm.

Advising a wide range of technology and AI clients, including investors in the technology sector, innovative digital companies, stakeholders in the financial and national security/defense sectors, in relation to practical implications of the EU AI Act.
Assisting a U.N. Special Rapporteur in relation to a proposed third-party intervention in two cases before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to AI-enhanced targeted and untargeted surveillance.
Advising a user of web scraping technologies/services in relation to European privacy laws.
Advising a not-for-profit focused on developing a new ecosystem operating under a paradigm of human autonomy and agency via computational systems on the (as it then was) EU White Paper regulating AI.
Advising a foundational AI platform utilizing LLMs on all aspects of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Foundational AI review.
Advised a U.S. cancer care hospital system on its AI-related agreement and whether the agreement’s exclusivity milestones were met.
Guided a startup through the process of drafting and applying for an export license to export servers to the Middle East to build an expansive data center intended to provide data center infrastructure services that enable customers in the U.S. to run AI workloads.
Representing an AI advisory firm in seeking FDA authorization for a diagnostic test to identify people who are at risk for opioid use disorder.
Serving as principal legal advisor to a technology firm regarding all aspects of the new regulatory regime that targets U.S. person investments in the semiconductor, quantum computing and AI sectors in China.
Representing OpenAI in competition authority reviews and investigations.
Advising a global platform on the European Digital Strategy, EU and U.K. AI policy and CMA investigations into digital markets.
Assisting a wide variety of clients, including software, cloud and technology companies, on compliance with emerging AI laws and regulations.
Advising one of the Big Tech companies on the impact of major, recently finalized or in-development AI legislation or regulation across six key jurisdictions, analyzing the key patterns and trends across these developments in order to advise product groups on requirements that impact product development or operation.
Advising a leading online dating and networking application on compliance with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in relation to existing and planned product offerings.
Advising a global leader in security analytics software in relation to impact of the EU AI Act on their products.
Advising an autonomous vehicles developer on compliance with AI and privacy laws in the Middle East.
Advising a leading wireless telecommunications operator on AI laws and regulations impacting the establishment of a joint venture (JV) focused on co-developing and launching a multilingual telco LLM.

Transactions & Investments

Represented OpenAI in its multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment from Microsoft. The investment allows OpenAI to continue its independent research and develop AI that is increasingly safe, useful and powerful.
Advised a UAE investment firm in connection with the establishment of an AI-focused JV with a tech products and solutions company and an agentic AI solutions company, together with related transactions, including the acquisition of an AI company.
Advised the lead investor in a financing round for a California-based fintech startup. The company runs investment funds where AI models trade in the stock and cryptocurrency markets.
Advised a UAE alternative investment firm in relation to its various investments and co-investments in AI technology groups in the UAE and U.S.
Represented a leading AI company on an equity fundraising round, with several prominent venture capital firms purchasing new shares.
Acted for a growth equity firm on its take-private of a premier provider of AI-fueled customer intelligence solutions.
Advised a Middle Eastern SWF in relation to an acquisition of a stake in and regulatory advice pertaining to a medical AI product.
Represented Endava, a leading technology services company (including AI and data services), in its acquisition of GalaxE Group Inc., a global IT and business solutions provider.
Advised Vista Credit Partners in a $150-million global debt financing of Afiniti, the world’s leading provider of AI-based behavioral pairing technology.
Advised OpenAI in its first public acquisition in which it absorbed Global Illumination, a company that leverages AI to build creative tools, infrastructure and digital experiences
Represented TrillerVerz in its merger with SeaChange. TrillerVerz will be a NASDAQ-listed company and positioned to be a leading AI-powered social media platform for content, creators and commerce, valued at $5 billion.
Represented a global asset manager in a $60 million financing for a manufacturer of AI-powered ultrasound devices.
Represented a global media agency that maximizes the combination of artificial intelligence and human intelligence for its clients, in its acquisition of Exverus Media.
Advised a growth equity firm in its investment in an AI speech technology company.
Represented a global asset manager in its minority investment in a leading provider of data center and telecom services in South America.
Represented a private equity firm in its preferred equity investment in and later buyout of a leading provider of managed hosting services and data centers.
Advised funds managed by an asset management firm on a majority investment in a fiber optic communications infrastructure provider to address the increasing demand for fiber connectivity across hyperscale data centers and other use cases driven by AI and the cloud.
Serving as lead counsel for a global AI company and conducting transactional due diligence and providing related advice for more than 20 domestic and cross-border transactions.

AI Governance & Risk Management

Working with a number of companies to assist and develop internal policies for responsible AI use and advising on governance structures to ensure accountability and transparency, including providing guidance on training employees on AI policies.
Advised a UAE SWF on the development and implementation of its data and AI program, including the drafting of key legal and operational documents and negotiating with internal stakeholders, external service providers and portfolio companies.
Assisted a leading investment management firm in developing policies and procedures and providing SEC compliance and IP advice regarding the use of AI tools.
Advising asset managers on the responsible and compliant use of AI technologies and big data in investment decisions and processes, including:
- Counseling on data sources and information from data providers, including those offering big data and other non-traditional research materials.
- Developing policies governing the use and restrictions of AI-generated data and AI-driven engines.
- Performing due diligence on various alternative data providers and amending contracts to provide prophylactic representation regarding their business practices.
- Advising clients on research and data collection practices and procedures to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
Providing numerous companies with comprehensive assessments of AI-related regulations across different jurisdictions and offering guidance on developing international AI standards and best practices.
On behalf of clients, monitoring AI-related litigation and enforcement actions then advising on the impact on clients and identifying potential litigation risks associated with the development and use of AI.
Assisting a manufacturer working to operationalize AI technologies such as facial recognition.
Advising a leading security analytics software company on novel legal and regulatory compliance issues regarding AI/ML.
Advising numerous companies and investors on ethical guardrails around the use of AI applications in the workplace.

Intellectual Property

Representing global technology and AI companies in patent infringement litigation in federal district courts and at the ITC and post-grant proceedings at the PTAB.
Representing numerous AI, data center and digital infrastructure clients on a range of patent litigation matters, including serving as lead counsel in district court actions and ITC investigations, and advising the clients on patent eligibility under Section 101.
Representing various investment funds and AI & technology corporations in district courts across the country and at the ITC, including for post-grant proceedings before the PTAB and in IPR proceedings.
Advising a multinational technology company in connection with export control classification and licensing for new platforms and products, including novel AI & ML technologies.
Providing export controls & sanctions advice to an Asian technology company that offers a billing platform for SaaS and AI businesses.
Representing a global high technology company in the following areas:
- Interpreting new export control & sanctions regulations (particularly with respect to China, Hong Kong, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine), identifying the business impact of the recent advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing rules, and developing compliance processes and solutions to respond to the new rules and their application to encryption software and consumer electronics.
- Providing timely export control classification and licensing support for new technologies and products, including novel ML and AI technologies.
- Developing sanctions compliance tools to review large-scale projects and efforts.
- Counseling on key interpretive sanctions and export control issues that impact technology companies.
- Reviewing and drafting trade control language in large JV projects.
- Providing advice on transactional due diligence and domestic and cross-border transactions.
Advising a multibillion-dollar private fund on the rights and obligations assumed regarding various AI products under consideration, with particular attention to protecting IP and confidential information in both inputs and outputs of the AI products.
Advising one of the largest active investment funds in the world regarding use of AI tools.
Advising a multinational hedge fund and financial services company on the rights and obligations assumed regarding various AI products under consideration.
Analyzing the likelihood of success and risk associated with IP cases brought against generative AI companies, including copyright cases targeting music generators, for investor clients.
Advising on and preparing agreements for AI development efforts with updated IP definitions to include AI elements not contemplated in standard IP clauses.
Advising media clients on developing practices in licensing content for AI training, including non-monetary aspects unique to the AI market.

Lobbying & Public Policy

Providing specialized lobbying and advisory services to a premier AI company. Advice is focusing on critical AI policy issues to ensure the client’s interests are effectively represented in legislative and regulatory discussions.
Offering numerous multinational technology clients customized lobbying and advisory services focused on data privacy and IT modernization to ensure that their interests are well represented in legislative and regulatory debates.
Engaged by a computing software company to provide strategic counsel and legislative advocacy on federal policy matters relating to quantum computing and AI. Also providing federal policy counsel and general brand building advisory for the client before the U.S. Congress, White House and NASA.
Advising a global health care technology company on domestic and international AI policy, implementing AI-related policies, drafting and submitting AI-related regulatory and/or advocacy related materials, and advocating for the client’s preferred AI policy before Congress and the executive branch.
Engaged by the leading U.S. developer of lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles, with strong capabilities in AI-powered safety algorithms, material, cell, module and recycling, to ensure the Department of the Treasury promulgates workable and effective guidance for the implementation of tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for companies operating in the AI and ML space.
Representing a data analytics company, that operates a first-of-its-kind commercial satellite constellation using AI to identify, process and geolocate a broad set of radio frequency signals, in successfully securing federal funding for largely classified national security interests.
Working with the NIST on AI standards.
Successfully advocated on behalf of clients by supporting policies that facilitate the ethical implementation of AI in crucial sectors such as health care & life sciences.
Developing comprehensive government relations strategies for leading technology companies to address challenges related to AI ethics, IP and content, including misinformation.
Played a pivotal role in establishing the Coalition for 21st Century American Infrastructure (AI21). This coalition is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by the swift integration and adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. AI21 collaborates with its members to advocate for policies that ensure energy reliability and affordability, serving as a key resource for Congress and the executive branch as they work to foster innovation and secure long-term economic growth through visionary energy policies.
Providing advice to an international technology company on issues involving supply chain management, global competition and federal technology procurement. Advocating for policies that promote efficient and secure supply chains that strengthen the client’s global market position, as well as advocating against policy proposals that could make it more difficult for the client to compete with non-U.S. based companies.
Counseling clients on issues related to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), federal appropriations, and policy issues and proposals related to export controls and AI. Facilitating effective communication with key policy-makers and stakeholders to ensures the client’s interests are well represented and influential in shaping legislation within the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Representing a company that manufactures AI-powered electronics test and measurement equipment and software, to ensure it adheres to international rules for exporting goods and dealing with sanctions, including in connection with the ITAR Consent Agreement.
Advised numerous leading tech and AI companies on the implications of AI Executive Order 14110 and the various initiatives resulting from those directives. Advised both large model developers and deployers on the new closed model weights control (4E091) included in the Diffusion Rule, including how its technical notes would apply to calculating compute used in more complex training and assisted in preparing comments in response to the rule, such as the overreaching impact of the technical notes in light of groundbreaking techniques created after the Diffusion Rule was published.
Advising a technology company on the applicability of recent HHS proposals and helping them craft an advocacy strategy designed to persuade HHS to avoid adopting policies that would unnecessarily harm the company and its clients.
Advised an autonomous vehicle company which uses AI on the implications of CFIUS/FIRRMA on various investments and projects.