The DORDA Digital Industries Group also kicked off 2025 with a New Year's reception and an overview of the latest technological developments and their legal implications. Yesterday's event focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of global regulation, the impact of quantum computing on established technologies and AI as well as the latest developments in the technology M&A sector.
The increasing number of business models based on AI raises numerous legal questions. Axel Anderl, Head of the DORDA Digital Industries Group, discussed this year's implementation deadlines for the AI Act. Alexandra Ciarnau, Principal Associate and Co-Head of the DORDA Digital Industries Group, highlighted the need for action on AI Act compliance using roadmaps for governance, AI literacy, prohibited AI practices and AI models. This enabled participants to take away specific, initial toolkits for their 2025 compliance plan. Furthermore, Alexandra Ciarnau presented an overview of AI regulation and current legislative developments in the US, Canada, Brazil, China, Switzerland and Japan. In times of global value chains, the understanding of compliance and initiatives in other countries is also exciting from a strategic perspective for EU companies in order to easier build bridges.
"As of February, the obligations regarding AI literacy and the exclusion of prohibited AI practices are already applicable. In addition to the urgent need for training, this also requires an initial stocktaking and classification of the AI solutions used," explains Alexandra Ciarnau.
Axel Anderl focussed on the potential and risks of quantum computing. He explained how this revolutionary technology works, what consequences it has and how it powers and supports AI and encryption processes. At the same time, he also outlined the positive and negative effects on security systems. He pointed out that companies should keep an eye on developments and continually adapt their IT security systems.
"Quantum computing will fundamentally change how and how quickly we can process and protect data," emphasised Anderl. "Companies should therefore consider the potential impact of this technology at an early stage."
Patricia Backhausen, Principal Associate in the M&A team and Co-Head of the Digital Industries Group, rounded off the New Year's Reception 2025 with an overview of current trends in the technology M&A sector. She focused in particular on developments in the DACH region and Austria as well as how these relate to global trends.
"Every third M&A transaction in the DACH region and also in Austria, was in the TMT sector in 2024. We expect this trend to continue in 2025, partly due to the increasingly significant proportion of investments in AI-related companies, especially in the venture capital sector," explains Patricia Backhausen.
The DORDA Digital Industries Group New Year's Reception 2025 came to a relaxed close with a late champagne breakfast and lively discussions. It has shown once again the importance of closely linking legal and technological developments. Companies that want to integrate innovations into their core business are well advised to seek legal guidance at an early stage.
