Artificial Intelligence Lawyers

Artificial intelligence

Businesses are increasingly using AI across products, services and operations, while more powerful models and more capable systems continue to expand what is possible.

As AI adoption deepens, the legal questions become more practical, more connected and more consequential. Data, intellectual property, contracting, AI regulation and governance all shape how artificial intelligence can be used, trusted and commercialised.

Bristows helps clients build, buy and deploy AI - and respond when AI systems, outputs or decisions are challenged. Our AI lawyers draw on deep experience advising technology, life sciences and data-rich businesses where AI is closely tied to innovation, accountability and commercial value.

AI law | How we can help AI Resources Speak to our AI team

Bristows’ team is extremely knowledgeable, practical and solutions oriented.

 Legal 500 2026 Artificial Intelligence

Pragmatic and in-depth technical knowledge is a result of people on the team that are interested and passionate about new technology. They understand the products that they advise on and the laws that apply to them.

 Legal 500 2026 Artificial Intelligence

“Bristows’ advice is always commercial. They help to distil complex legal issues into a business-friendly approach. They also always take a clear view and direction with all the legal complexity.”

 Chambers FinTech Guide 2026

“The department stands out through its strong client focus, deep industry knowledge, and ability to deliver cutting-edge, practical advice.”

 Chambers FinTech Guide 2026

“It is an excellent law firm with very good expertise in technology and FinTech.”

 Chambers FinTech Guide 2026

Featured article series

How we help

Build

For clients developing AI models, AI-enabled products, research systems or platforms, we advise on the legal foundations for developing and commercialising artificial intelligence, including training data, licensing, intellectual property, open source, privacy and routes to market.

Our work includes advising on AI and intellectual property issues, data rights, ownership and use of outputs, and emerging AI regulation to support responsible innovation.

Buy

For clients procuring AI tools and AI services - from standard products to bespoke development or collaboration agreements - we help structure deals that support adoption while addressing the contractual questions that make AI procurement different from standard technology deals.

Our work includes advising on AI procurement strategy, AI licence terms, template AI agreements and playbooks, licences for open source and open-weight AI models, implementation responsibilities, liability allocation and exit.

Deploy

For clients deploying AI - whether internally, with customers or in regulated products and services - we help design governance frameworks that are practical and proportionate, with clear controls around use, oversight and accountability.

Our AI lawyers advise on AI compliance and governance programmes that align with emerging AI regulation, sector-specific requirements and evolving market practice.

Respond

For clients facing challenge, scrutiny or an incident, we help manage the legal, technical and reputational issues that arise when AI systems, outputs or decisions are contested.

Our work includes advising on disputes, regulatory investigations, enforcement action and issues around copyright, data protection, confidential information and trade secrets.

Our AI law experience

Google DeepMind / AlphaFold

Advising Google DeepMind, a world-leading AI lab, on activities related to several Generative AI technologies, including the Nobel-prize winning AlphaFold AI model that will revolutionise science and medicine for years to come.

WPP / Satalia

Advising WPP on its acquisition of Satalia, a global leader in enterprise AI, including on the design and deployment of AI products, protection of IP assets, data inputs and outputs, and AI regulation.

Generative AI product launch

Advising a US-based provider of a market-leading multimedia messaging app on the rollout of generative AI text-to-image functionality in its flagship product.

Advising global life sciences companies on their AI strategies

Collaborations between pharma and AI firms to discover the next blockbuster drug through AI platforms, navigating the regulatory implications of launching ‘high risk’ AI-enabled medical technologies, and the privacy impacts of using public health datasets for healthcare AI model training.

AI for retail transformation

We advised Tesco on its strategic partnership with Mistral (Europe’s only significant LLM) under which Tesco gains access to Mistral’s AI models and future developments as the two companies build the AI-powered supermarket of the future.  There are very few genuine AI collaborations of this type in the market, and Bristows has had a key role in several of them.

AI legal issues clients are navigating now

Understanding which AI regulations apply today, what obligations are coming next under the EU AI Act, and how organisations should classify AI systems, roles and responsibilities.

Featured resources:

AI rankings

Artificial intelligence - Tier 2

Legal 500 2026

AI resources

Podcasts  |  Blog | Tech Summit

This section is where, from time-to-time, we make available reports, analysis and other client-facing guidance relating to AI and machine learning. We also, frequently, publish podcast episodes and insight articles in relation to legal, commercial and industrial developments relating to artificial intelligence.

Roadmap podcast

Our Roadmap podcast series is designed for in-house counsel, business leaders and senior decision-makers looking for practical insight into artificial intelligence law, AI regulation and the commercial impact of emerging AI technology.

Hear from industry experts discussing the legal, regulatory and business questions AI is raising in practice. Browse recent episodes here.

Artificial intelligence blog

Our regular commentary on AI law and policy covers topics including the EU AI Act, AI compliance, copyright disputes, agentic AI, digital health and developments in AI law.

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Tech Summit

Tackling the most important legal and commercial issues facing the technology sector.

You can catch up on the recordings from Bristows Tech Summit below.

Agentic AI: Legal, Risk & Regulatory Deep Dive

Protecting innovation - Emerging trade secret risks in the tech sector

AI, Trade Secrets & Tech Disputes

AI & IP Disputes: Litigation Perspectives

Tech & AI Contracts: Market Practice & Deal Trends

Cyber Incident Response

FAQs

What legal issues can arise when businesses use AI?

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The use of AI can raise a wide range of AI legal issues across intellectual property, data protection, contracting, regulation, governance and liability. The issues that arise will depend on whether an organisation is developing, procuring or deploying AI, and how the technology is being used in practice.

Listen to our podcast: AI in the workplace
Read more: Generative AI: Key issues when integrating AI into your products and services

How does the EU AI Act affect businesses?

What makes AI procurement different from standard technology procurement?

Who owns AI-generated outputs?

What legal issues arise with agentic AI?

What issues can arise if an AI system, output or decision is challenged?

Key contacts

Our dedicated AI team brings together specialists from across the firm - covering intellectual property, technology, data protection, regulation and life sciences - to provide joined-up advice on artificial intelligence law as the technology continues to develop.

Vik Khurana's headshot
Vik Khurana
Partner – IT & digital projects
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Hannah Crowther
Partner – Data protection & privacy
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Freya Ollerearnshaw
Of Counsel – Commercial disputes
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Alex Denoon
Partner – Life sciences regulatory
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Charlie Hawes
Of Counsel – IT & digital projects
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Mark Watt's headshot
Mark Watts
Partner – Data protection & privacy
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View all key contacts