On November 14, 2024, Calfee's Intellectual Property and Government Relations practice groups hosted a seminar at Calfee's Columbus office for clients and friends of the firm, "Securing the Future: AI, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity for Businesses."
The seminar consisted of three panel presentations:
Panel Discussion I: Data Rights, Privacy & Cybersecurity
Moderated by Calfee Intellectual Partner / Information Technology Partner Daniel J. McMullen, this panel discussed issues regarding legal rights and obligations concerning data and, specifically, personal information; data security and the current and evolving threat environment (particularly in light of emerging technologies); and data protection policies and practices (technical, operational, legal).
Panelists: Daniel DeSantis, Security Advisor, Guidepoint Security; Shelby Carroll, Special Agent, Columbus FBI; Joshua A. Friedman, Intellectual Property Partner, Calfee, Halter & Griswold.
Panel Discussion II: Industry Perspectives on Emerging Technologies
Moderated by Calfee Intellectual Property Attorney Bradley S. Pulfer, this panel addressed the rapid development of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which has begun to permeate the industry at every level. From engineers leveraging AI to develop new and useful technologies to outside vendors providing AI-assisted services, navigating the many novel legal issues surrounding the use of these exciting emerging technology offerings presents a new challenge for stakeholders to adapt to a rapidly evolving technology landscape. This panel discussion will focus on how these novel issues are being addressed by sophisticated companies today and also tips for remaining agile as the development and adoption of emerging technology progresses in the future.
Panelists: Bonnie Smith, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel at Rockwell Automation; Georgia Yanchar, General Counsel at MRI Software.
Panel Discussion III: Business Technology-Related Issues Before the Ohio General Assembly and State Government
As the federal government has struggled to enact a national law or national standards regulating AI and data privacy, Ohio and other states are taking an interest in regulating these areas. For instance, there are a number of bills currently pending in the Ohio General Assembly, like HB 20 – Ohio Computer Crimes Act, HB 345 – Ohio Personal Privacy Act, HB 401 – Create Offense of Deepfake Distribution, HB 406 – Blockchain Basics Act, SB 217 - AI Technology Requirements, Prohibitions, and others. This panel, moderated by Calfee Partner, Government Relations Practice Co-Chair and Columbus Partner-in-Charge Leah Pappas Porner, discussed how the State of Ohio is addressing technology-related issues and what the legislative and executive branches may pursue in the future.
Panelists: Senator Bill Blessing, Ohio Senate; Rick Carfagna, former member of the Ohio House of Representatives and currently SVP of Government Affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Kirk M. Herath, Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor, Office of Governor Mike DeWine.
Practices/Industries
- Banking, Financial Services and Insurance
- Chemicals
- CHIPS and Science Act
- Construction
- Education
- Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
- Energy and Utilities
- Entertainment, Media and the Arts
- Entrepreneurs and Emerging Companies
- Food and Beverage
- Gaming and Hospitality
- Government
- Government Relations and Legislation
- Health Care
- Information Technology Law
- Information Technology Litigation
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- International
- Manufacturing and Industrial
- Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Partnerships, LLCs and Joint Ventures
- Privacy and Data Security
- Private and Family-Owned Businesses
- Public Companies
- Real Estate
- Retail and Consumer Products
- Satellite and Space Technology
- Software and Information Technology
- State Government Relations and Policy
- Trade Associations