February 5, 2024
Welcome to the BLIP Clinic Newsletter
We look forward to delivering to your inbox a rundown of the latest news and trends in legal technology, along with a “BLIP Spotlight” highlighting the innovative work of our student “BLIPicians.”
As the inaugural editorial team (comprised entirely of graduating students), we are thrilled to embark on a project that resonates with not only students, but also graduates, professors, and a wider audience.
Thank you for subscribing!
-Morgan Kashinsky, Managing Editor, and the entire BLIP Clinic Newsletter Editorial Team
Trending Topics
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ChatGPT is Violating Europe’s Privacy Laws, Italian Data Protection Authority Tells OpenAI
The Garante, Italy’s data protection regulator, announced on January 29 that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is suspected of violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). While the Italian regulators did not publish the purported violations to the public, there is speculation that the alleged violations are related to the company’s processing of personal data while training the chatbot’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. OpenAI responded to TechCrunch’s request for comment by stating that it believes its practices align with the GDPR and that it will continue working with the Garante to alleviate any concerns. (Source: TechCrunch, published January 29, 2024)
CRYPTOCURRENCY & BLOCKCHAIN
Approvals for Ethereum Spot ETPs Could Be Next
On January 10, the SEC approved the listing and trading of 11 Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) holding Spot Bitcoin. This was a positive development for the Crypto industry, which has been pushing for SEC approval for the last ten years. Forbes speculates that the SEC might approve Ethereum Spot ETPs next. In this article, Vipin Bharathan makes the case for why Ethereum is more stable than Bitcoin, and accordingly ripe to come under the purview of SEC regulation. (Source: Forbes, published January 20, 2024)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
OpenAI Claims The New York Times Tricked ChatGPT Into Copying Its Articles
The war between Artificial Intelligence companies and copyright owners continues. The New York Times recently brought a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that OpenAI’s unauthorized use of NYT’s articles to train ChatGPT infringed on NYT’s copyright. OpenAI responded to the lawsuit, alleging that NYT was not entirely truthful in its claims and asserted that NYT curated its prompts to push ChatGPT to respond with excerpts from NYT articles. Despite this, OpenAI still hopes to partner with NYT in the future. (Source: The Verge, published January 8, 2024)
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
Cable Firms to FTC: We Shouldn’t Have to Let Users Cancel Service With a Click
At a recent FTC hearing, interest groups representing cable, streaming, and advertising companies pushed against the agency’s proposed “click-to-cancel” regulation to simplify canceling online subscriptions. The groups claimed that such regulation would deprive subscribers of the opportunity to learn about better deals and raise “First Amendment issues” because it restricts commercial speech. FTC Chair Linda Khan said the regulation was necessary because “some businesses too often trick consumers into paying for subscriptions they no longer want or didn't sign up for in the first place.” (Source: Wired, published January 18, 2024)
SPORTS
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Game of Professional Sports
The professional sports industry has fully embraced AI, using it extensively from player recruitment to performance analysis. Rapid integration of AI is prompting changes in the legal world, with decision-makers at federal and local levels taking action. President Biden's recent executive order emphasizes safe AI development, while regulations like NYC 144 address AI use during the hiring process. The article's authors examine the practical benefits and legal risks of AI implementation in sports. (Source: The National Law Review, published December 12, 2023)
BLIP Spotlight: BLIP X NYU Design
On February 1, Professor Jonathan Askin and BLIP students joined forces with NYU students in their class “Design Skills for Responsible Media.” Instructed by Professors and AI experts Juliette Powell and Art Kleiner, the course explores the ways that digital media design impacts the real world.
Groups of NYU and BLIP students utilized their knowledge of design, technology, and the law to brainstorm potential improvements to existing democratic systems. Students’ proposals included new polling methods to capture a greater representation of constituents’ opinions and a simplified digital voting interface that could be implemented through a gradual rollout.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Askin said that it was “inspiring” to see BLIP and NYU students collaborating. “It verified to me that, when you bring smart young folks together with very different backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets, amazing ideas can percolate,” he said.
Looking to build on the momentum, BLIP and Brooklyn Law School Legal Hackers will be teaming up to organize a “Hackathon” focused on the same topic this semester. “I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to share outside-the-box thinking with the tech and design students in hopes of hacking some solutions to reimagine what a pluralistic democracy could become in the Digital Age,” said Askin.
That’s all for this edition!
BLIP Clinic Newsletter Editorial Team