Navigating the future of AI: an in-depth look at the GPAI Code of Practice and Guidelines

The EU Commission published its Code of Practice and Guidelines on General-Purpose AI (GPAI) in recent weeks. These publications provide practical guidance on what constitutes a GPAI model, who qualifies as a provider, and how companies can fulfil their GPAI obligations under the EU AI Act.

Join our webinar hosted by Lexology on 16 September, where our international experts will explore the key elements of the GPAI Code of Practice and Guidelines, including its focus on transparency obligations, copyrights commitments and systemic risk mitigation. We'll also delve into how businesses can navigate potential legal challenges related to AI technologies, including intellectual property infringement liability.

Understanding the Code of Practice is essential for ensuring organisations comply with their obligations under the EU AI Act. Register now to secure your spot!

Speakers:

Aleksandra Cywinska, senior associate

I am a senior associate in our Commercial team in Warsaw where I advise clients on a variety of technology related legal matters.

My key focus is on drafting and negotiating IT contracts, ranging from developing, implementing and licensing software to providing complex cloud services, including in the regulated financial sector. I also help clients navigate through regulations that shape the technology sector today, inter alia those concerning Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and data protection.

My secondary professional interest is media law – I have advised printed and online press publishers on setting up publishing houses, managing their day-to-day activities, negotiating advertising contracts and registering new press titles.

I have experience in supporting start-ups with funding processes and developing their products. My work involves managing complex international projects which require cooperation of regulatory lawyers from multiple jurisdictions, often working in several workstreams. I also participate in due diligence audits and transactions within tech, e-commerce, and FMCG sectors.

Oliver Belitz, counsel

As an IT lawyer specialising in Emerging Technologies, in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI), I help companies navigate the complex landscape at the intersection of technology and law. Based in our Frankfurt office, I counsel a wide range of national and international clients, from innovative start-ups to large multinational corporations.

One of the main areas of my practice is contract law – drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex IT agreements for both service providers and customers. Further, I provide advice on regulatory requirements for outsourcing and cybersecurity in the financial sector (such as MaRisk, EBA Guidelines and DORA). There I assist banks and IT service providers in translating these critical regulations into contractual constructs.

Moreover, I have a long-standing tech focus on AI and am a recognised expert when it comes to the legal aspects of the enterprise use of generative AI. Here I advise large companies developing AI compliance systems to meet regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in the AI Act – or support innovative tech adopters, such as marketing agencies, integrate generative AI into their core value creation in a legally compliant manner.

Besides my legal work, I am deeply passionate about technology and utilise a broad stack of AI tools on a daily basis. Accordingly, I am actively involved in our firm's national and international Legal Tech strategic committees, where I explore how generative AI will shape the future business of international law firms – e.g. by testing new AI tools, developing training concepts for our employees, and working on new AI-enabled legal services.

On a regular basis I share my AI-related insights through client workshops, industry conferences and university lectures – having delivered around 100 presentations on the subject in the past 2 years. I am also a co-editor of the International Handbook of AI Law published at Wolters Kluwer, contributing as lead author for the sections on the AI Act and Legal Tech.

Simon Hembt, counsel

One of the main areas of my expertise lies at the intersection of (generative) AI, intellectual property law, and technology regulation. I advise clients on establishing tailored AI compliance strategies that help them reap the benefits of AI while mitigating risks. I also guide companies through the internal implementation of AI, including managing training data (e.g., text and data mining), regulating employees' use of generative AI, and best practices for managing generative AI outputs (such as addressing IP risks and labeling AI-generated content). I assist clients with questions on (EU) copyright law, rights to likeness, the EU AI Act, youth protection laws, and media regulations when developing or offering AI products, ensuring a holistic approach to AI compliance. I regularly publish contributions on these topics.

I specialise in aspects of EU technology law, particularly under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and EU copyright law. I help clients develop compliant notice-and-action mechanisms, digital rights management strategies, content moderation schemes, and ensure adherence to other EU platform requirements in interactions with authorities, particularly on transparency, youth protection, and advertising regulation issues.

In the digital media sector, I help our clients to implement their ideas legally and strategically. This includes addressing intellectual property and regulatory issues to develop, launch, and distribute games, advertising, or other content. I specialise in advising on all aspects of digital entertainment, with a focus on topics such as the protection and licensing of content, synchronisation rights, matters related to the Metaverse/Digital Worlds, NFTs/Tokens, AR/VR, online advertising strategies, technical youth protection, loot box regulation, and protection against game cloning and cheat software. Additionally, I assist with complex issues regarding user-generated content under EU platform law, as well as media law, gambling law, and youth protection regulations.

Communication and advertising law are additional areas of focus, with a strong emphasis on consumer goods, including food and cannabis products. I provide comprehensive support for advertising claims, marketing campaigns for food and dietary supplements, health advertisements, and online and influencer marketing. My work also involves handling libel cases and reputation management, backed by a deep understanding of industry regulations and EU advertising rules, particularly in the food and cannabis sectors.

I regularly represent clients in court and before regulatory authorities.

Anne-Sophie Lampe, Partner

I am a partner based in our Paris office, with 15 years' experience in the technology sector. I specialise in IT and Internet litigation, and work for both tech companies and end-user clients.

I am passionate about the technology sector because of its relentless innovation. In addition to my practice in IT litigation, I am also interested in market trends, such as the ongoing digital transformation of companies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and specifically the challenges related to generative AI.

Additionally, I closely follow the increasing regulations surrounding platforms, which are inevitably leading to complex legal disputes.

I am passionate about understanding our clients' businesses to better serve them.

I love to impart information, so I teach in two different Masters 2, dedicated to Digital creation law, as well as organising training for Numeum (formerly Syntec Numérique, a union of IT service providers) and writing articles.