Ropes & Gray’s innovative AI program lets associates dedicate up to 20% of their required billable hours to AI training and simulations, as law firms reimagine traditional billing models. The experiment highlights how AI is nudging the legal industry toward more flexible workflows, promising greater efficiency and skill development for junior lawyers.

Europe’s landmark AI Act faces delays after heavy lobbying from U.S. tech giants and the Trump administration, with the European Commission considering a one-year pause on enforcement and softer compliance measures. This marks a dramatic shift in EU regulatory ambitions and reflects fears that strict rules could hinder innovation and global competitiveness in AI.

Faced with backlog and quality challenges at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a new approach dubbed AI-First Triage proposes using generative AI to perform early prior-art searches, engage applicants sooner, and reshape the examination queue. This article unpacks how this shift could cut pendency, raise patent quality, and outlines the risks that overshadow the promise.

Italy just passed its first national AI law, setting a bold precedent in Europe. The new rules, effective October 2025, introduce sector-specific safeguards, national AI strategies, and novel rules for healthcare, employment, and copyright. Businesses and professionals must now adapt to dual compliance amid evolving regulations and heightened government oversight.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark AI safety law requiring advanced AI companies to publicly disclose their safety measures and safeguard whistleblowers. This move positions California as a leader in AI regulation, sparking debates over innovation versus consumer protection, and prompting scrutiny of state legislative authority within a rapidly evolving technology sector.

Eve, a San Francisco-based legal AI startup, has reached a $1 billion valuation after raising $103 million in new funding. The firm specializes in AI-driven tools for plaintiffs’ law firms, reflecting accelerated demand for automation in legal practice as more firms turn to generative AI to streamline case work and document analysis.

The FTC has launched a sweeping inquiry into seven major tech firms, including Meta, OpenAI, and Alphabet, demanding details on how their AI chatbots protect children and teens. The investigation seeks to uncover companies’ practices for monitoring safety, disclosing risks, and complying with privacy laws amid rising concern about AI-powered companion bots’ impacts on youth.

Anthropic just became the first major AI company to endorse California’s groundbreaking SB 53 bill, which would require unprecedented transparency, reporting, and safety standards for cutting-edge AI developers. If passed, the legislation promises to reshape how AI risks are managed—not just in California, but potentially nationwide. The final vote is imminent.

Anthropic has reached a historic $1.5 billion settlement in a landmark copyright dispute over its use of pirated and lawfully acquired books to train AI models. The deal sets a precedent for the industry, highlighting the need for robust data governance, licensing, and legal compliance for AI developers and enterprise users navigating evolving copyright rules.