Global Technology Summit

In an increasingly complex world, the interplay between geopolitical conflict, technology, and national security has never held greater importance for businesses. In the opening session at DLA Piper’s 2024 Global Technology Summit, General James Mattis spoke with Edward “Smitty” Smith, SVP of Public Policy at T-Mobile US, on ways national security, geopolitical threats, technical innovations, public-private partnerships, and international allies interact to shape the future of business.

General Mattis discussed the international geopolitical landscape and how the current level of instability combined with the proliferation of emerging technologies, especially AI, has changed the nature and level of threats facing businesses. General Mattis stressed the importance of collaboration in harnessing the power of technological innovation to mitigate national security risks and build resiliency and discussed how partnerships between the private sector and government are the most effective way to tackle challenges and protect against cyber risks. He also highlighted the importance of private sector participation in legislation and regulation to help ensure guardrails on emerging technologies like AI do not hamper innovation. With respect to collaboration, General Mattis emphasized that international allies are the most valuable tool for combating geopolitical threats.

As technology rapidly advances, the cyber and privacy threat landscape has become more sophisticated and complicated. Andrew Serwin, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Data Protection and Security Practice, led a discussion on the latest developments in privacy and cybersecurity. He was joined by Chris Kelly, founder of Kelly Ventures and the first Chief Privacy Officer of Facebook; Drew Bagley, Vice President and Counsel, Privacy and Cyber Policy at CrowdStrike; and Kate Lucente, Partner at DLA Piper.

The panelists discussed the delicate balance of data risk management and technological innovation. Kelly shared insights from his time at Facebook, underscoring the importance of aligning data management with business models, especially for early-stage companies.

The panelists detailed the evolving threat landscape, noting the rise of state-sponsored and e-crime actors. Bagley highlighted sophisticated tactics like credential theft and supply chain infiltration, advising companies to focus on proactive threat detection and response strategies. The panelists also discussed regulatory developments, particularly those influenced by AI, and outlined the shift from focusing on data sensitivity to regulating potential outcomes and risks posed by AI.

This flash talk session featuring Mark O’Conor, Partner and Global Co-Chair, Technology Sector, and Jeanne Dauzier, Partner, Intellectual Property and Technology practice, focused on the intricacies of the European AI Act, highlighting its profound impact and far-reaching implications.

Space may be the final frontier, but the future of space innovation is already underway. Christian Ford, Chair of DLA Piper’s Space Innovation and Exploration Practice, was joined by Christian Keil, Vice President of External Relations at Astranis, and DLA Piper Principal Matt Botwin.

The panelists discussed the unique technical challenges and opportunities in deploying small satellites at geostationary orbits. These “micro-GEO” satellites require advanced technology but also allow for cost savings compared with the traditional giant satellites deployed at GEO orbits. Micro-GEO satellites deliver affordable connectivity, especially in underserved regions like the Philippines, where Astranis is launching the nation’s first satellite to provide low-cost broadband access focused directly on Philippine territory.

The discussion emphasized the importance of this innovative approach. Traditional GEO satellites are massive and expensive, taking years and hundreds of millions of dollars to build and launch. Astranis leverages advancements such as smaller batteries, improved propulsion, and reduced launch costs to develop a more efficient model.

The discussion also highlighted DLA Piper’s role in navigating the complex global regulatory landscape, working with international administrations to secure orbital slots and market access.

This flash talk session, featuring Partners and Global Co-Chairs of the Financial Services Sector, Margo H.K. Tank and Isabelle Ord, discussed the impact of technological advancements and other disruptors in financial services.

Carrie Williamson, Deputy Managing Partner of the firm’s Palo Alto office, interviewed Ameca, a cutting-edge robotic android developed by the team at Engineered Arts. The conversation between human and machine was a compelling exploration of artificial intelligence and its role in the evolving legal landscape.

Ameca described its role in bridging technology and human interaction, demonstrating its advanced sensory systems and ability to mimic human facial expressions and emotions. Ameca explained how it interprets human reactions to create a more engaging and authentic experience. From assisting in education by making learning interactive for children to providing real-time data analysis in healthcare, Ameca emphasized AI’s potential to complement human efforts rather than replace them.

Ameca also highlighted the importance of transparency and fairness in AI development. It tackled classic questions in ethics like the trolley problem, a thought experiment that tests the dilemma of whether to sacrifice one person to save a larger number. This discussion underscored the ethical complexity AI must navigate. The conversation also delved into bias in AI, with Ameca commenting on the need for diverse data sets as a way to reduce prejudices in machine learning systems.

On AI’s impact in the legal industry, Ameca discussed AI’s utility in document review, case prediction, and research, clarifying that while AI can streamline processes, it cannot replace the nuanced judgment and creativity that human lawyers bring.

Quantum computing holds the promise of revolutionizing industries and the potential to solve complex problems in drug discovery, material science, and cryptography faster than classical computers ever could. In this panel, industry experts discussed the state of quantum computing and its implications for the future of disruption.

The panel was moderated by Larissa Bifano, Chair of DLA Piper’s Patent Prosecution Practice, with panelists K. Grace Johnson, a senior research scientist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Matt Johnson, CEO of QC Ware; and Sam Stanwyck, Group Product Manager at Nvidia. They began by exploring the basics of quantum computing, emphasizing its difference from classical computing and its application to simulating quantum systems, which holds significant promise in fields such as drug discovery and material science.

The discussion covered the potential to use quantum processors to simulate molecular structures more efficiently, positioning quantum computing as a future tool for accelerating innovation in chemistry. Johnson highlighted HPE’s work in integrating quantum processing units (QPUs) into high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructures to scale computing power and manage increasingly complex simulations. Meanwhile, Stanwyck discussed Nvidia’s role in supporting quantum computing developments, focusing on tools that integrate AI and classical computing with quantum systems.

The conversation turned to the risks and opportunities of quantum computing. The panelists noted that while quantum technology could revolutionize fields like healthcare and energy, it also poses risks, particularly to cryptography. The ability of quantum computers to break current encryption methods, like RSA, could undermine global data security. However, efforts are underway to develop new, post-quantum cryptographic protocols to counter these risks.

The panel concluded with a look at the timeline and global landscape of quantum computing development. While optimism for achieving quantum advantage remains, the timeline is uncertain, with estimates ranging from five to ten years. Despite the challenges, the panelists expressed optimism that the technology’s benefits would ultimately outweigh the risks.

The interactive entertainment industry is massive and emerging technologies are transforming how more than 3 billion consumers worldwide are experiencing video games. Tom Ara, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Media, Sports, and Entertainment Practice, was joined by Ira Lam, Head of Legal for Netflix Games, and Derek Douglas, Head of Video Games for global talent agency CAA.

The conversation kicked off with a discussion of the state of the video games industry, with Lam and Douglas speaking to what engages people and how digital-native younger generations have transformed how people consume interactive entertainment across platforms and hardware. In particular, there is a community building aspect of video games, particularly for younger people who used games as a powerful form of connection during the pandemic and have continued to do so.

Building on this topic, the panelists reviewed trends in mobile gaming and how younger generations are increasingly adept at “playing on glass,” whether that is playing games directly on a smart phone or tablet or using the mobile device as a controller for a game on a different screen.

Switching gears, the panel dove into trends in financing game development and the dealmaking landscape. Ara, Douglas, and Lam noted that while venture capital financing in the gaming industry dropped precipitously in recent years, there are emerging bright spots, especially as AI levels the playing field for smaller, independent game creators.

The panel also delved into trends in video game development, wrapping with a focus on how emerging technologies like AI have democratized the development process through enabling faster and easier coding, concept art creation, and community moderation.

This flash talk session featured Barclay Blair, Senior Managing Director and AI Innovation lead at DLA Piper, exploring the transformative potential of AI in the legal profession.

As AI proliferates and businesses rapidly scale their use of emerging technology, a number of questions arise around responsible AI use and deployment, legal and regulatory issues, and ethical AI. In a discussion led by Danny Tobey, Chair of DLA Piper’s AI and Data Analytics Practice, panelists Rob Beard, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer at Mastercard; Jasion Fiorillo, Chief Legal Officer at Boston Dynamics; and Ferras Vinh, Senior Counsel at Walmart addressed the implications that the rapid advancement of AI will have on the practice of law.

To start, each panelist discussed how their organization is approaching ethical and responsible AI usage while maintaining a focus on innovation.

Vinh emphasized how Walmart is taking a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from various departments to build compliance measures that support innovation. Fiorillo discussed the need for public trust in robotics, highlighting Boston Dynamics’ policy efforts to promote safety and prevent weaponization of robotics. He stressed that establishing ethical frameworks is key to integrating AI and robotics into society responsibly. Beard shared how AI is being deployed at Mastercard to enhance security and detect fraud, advocating for regulation tailored to specific use cases rather than broad mandates that could impact technological advancements.

The panel then explored how organizations balance AI governance through multi-stakeholder collaboration and the evolving role of legal teams in managing AI's impact. The conversation explored how AI use holds immense potential to enhance the practice of law and improve lawyers’ ability to be even more creative and strategic. The panelists discussed parallels between previous technological innovations in law, like electronic legal research, and AI and discussed advantages for attorneys who incorporate these tools into their workflows.

Throughout that panel, Tobey also engaged Ameca, a cutting-edge robotic android developed by the team at Engineered Arts, on a number of topics, and it echoed the panelists’ outlook on AI and the future of law.

The final panel of the day featured Scott Kupor, Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Kupor was interviewed by Curtis Mo, a Partner in DLA Piper’s Corporate Practice, for a discussion on the state of the VC landscape. Kupor and Mo began by discussing AI deal size and volume, stressing that the funding landscape was still in its early stages even though AI dominated VC fundraising this year.

Kupor emphasized that while foundational AI models are being built, the application phase is still emerging, with industry-specific models likely to lead the next wave. He noted infrastructure challenges, including energy needs and cooling for data centers, which will affect AI's future.

Turning to fintech, Kupor discussed the regulation of cryptocurrency and other digital assets, advocating for a balanced approach to allow innovation while acknowledging the need for safety measures. He noted that digital asset regulation has impacted investment and development in the sector.

The conversation then turned to life sciences, with Kupor and Mo noting the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists drugs for treatment of diabetes and obesity, and their potential expansion into areas like heart disease and addiction treatment. Despite the current IPO slowdown, Kupor remained optimistic about the sector's future, given the steady pipeline of innovations and the historical resilience of biotech IPOs.

Finally, Kupor and Mo addressed the broader investment landscape, noting the dip in IPOs and M&A activity due to market conditions and the decline of SPACs due to regulatory uncertainty, trust withdrawals and the PIPE market. Kupor stressed the need for liquidity solutions, such as a more developed secondary market for exiting venture capital investments. He concluded with a prediction that AI applications across various industries would drive the next big wave of growth.

Abdi Goodarzi, Head of GenAI Products, Innovations and New Businesses at Deloitte, took the stage to deliver a closing keynote on the impact, opportunities, and promises AI holds for the professional services and legal industry.

Goodarzi began by discussing the acceleration of computing power and its effects on the professional services industry. He highlighted AI's ability to process unstructured data like emails and contracts as a key driver for business transformation.

The keynote emphasized that while AI might seem disruptive, it should be viewed as an opportunity akin to the impact of combustion engines on transportation. Generative AI was framed not as a threat but as a tool to unlock previously impossible tasks, improve productivity, and drive efficiency across industries, including drug discovery and digital transformation.

Critical points in the talk included the importance of data, with organizations needing to prioritize data scientists and cloud migration to harness AI's full potential. Goodarzi outlined priority pillars of AI opportunity, such as efficiency, productivity, and risk management, stressing that challenges like trust, fraud prevention, and sustainability are also opportunities for growth. He discussed the role of AI in professional services, highlighting use cases like AI-driven discovery and litigation processes enhancing rather than replacing human roles.

Key takeaways included the need for organizations to adopt agility, standardize processes, and embrace data as a valuable currency. Goodarzi concluded by encouraging businesses to view AI as an opportunity for growth and transformation, advocating for a proactive rather than defensive approach to these technological advancements.