Why Your Business Needs a Legal Partner in the Age of AI and Emerging Technologies

I love innovation. I especially love the wave of AI tools that are transforming industries. In my own practice, I use several AI tools, I test emerging platforms, and I counsel clients who are deploying AI across their operations.

These tools are exciting, and they will reshape the way businesses operate now and in the future. But as an attorney, I also see the risks that don’t always make headlines. Some of these risks may take years to surface, but when they do, they can cause enormous challenges for businesses that aren’t prepared.

A Lesson from the Past: Hidden Risks and Lasting Liability

Early in my career, I represented clients in large chlorinated solvent lawsuits. These chemicals were widely used by manufacturers across the U.S. They were effective, cheap, and everywhere. But years later, the hidden costs emerged: severe health effects, groundwater contamination, and staggering cleanup liability.

By the time these risks were known, many businesses were left scrambling. Some went bankrupt. Others became entangled in endless litigation. What started as an “innovation” quickly became a financial and legal disaster for those unprepared.

AI and emerging technologies pose a similar challenge today. They work incredibly well. They create new opportunities. But without foresight and legal strategy, businesses could face risks they don’t yet see coming.

Key Risk Areas Every Business Leader Should Watch

1. Regulatory Changes
   Regulations around AI are evolving faster than most businesses can keep track of. In the U.S., companies face a patchwork of federal and state laws, and with new administrations every four years, rules can shift dramatically. International expansion adds yet another layer of complexity.
2. Application of Existing Laws
   Even before new laws are passed, existing ones are being applied to AI tools. For example, anti-discrimination laws are increasingly used against AI hiring platforms. Courts are signaling strict liability, yet many vendors’ contracts shift the risk onto their clients, specifically the businesses that purchased the tools.
3. Privacy and Data Risks
   AI often collects, processes, and stores massive amounts of data. Some of that data is private or sensitive. Businesses may not even realize how much risk they assume until a breach occurs. Privacy laws worldwide are tightening, and violations can mean millions in fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage.

These are only the beginning. Intellectual property issues, contract disputes, cybersecurity, and cross-border compliance are all emerging fronts in the legal landscape of AI.

Why Your Business Needs an Experienced Legal Partner

The best way to prepare is not with a one-off legal review, but with a long-term legal partner who understands both new technologies and traditional laws. Here’s how I help my clients:

• Proactive Risk Identification: Spotting issues before they become crises.
• Operational Integration: Working alongside leadership teams to align legal strategy with business goals.
• Contract Negotiation & Protection: Ensuring your agreements with AI vendors and technology partners don’t leave you exposed.
• Regulatory Navigation: Keeping your business ahead of the curve in a rapidly shifting legal environment.

At Vidar Law, we bring both legal expertise and firsthand experience with emerging technologies. Our goal is to act as a strategic partner, not just a problem-solver when things go wrong.

Next Steps for Business Leaders

If your business is using or considering AI and other advanced technologies, now is the time to get ahead of potential risks. Here’s what you can do today:

• Schedule a consultation to discuss your business’s use of AI and identify areas of risk.
• Request a free risk analysis designed to fit the needs of your company.
• Explore my background and approach on the About page.

Emerging technologies bring enormous opportunities. But success in this new era requires a trusted legal advisor who can help you navigate both what’s obvious and what isn’t.

Ready to future-proof your business? Contact me today at Vidar Law or reach out directly via email to start the conversation.