The SEC wants everyone to know that it is watching what the companies and firms it regulates are saying about their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). SEC Chair Gary Gensler set the stage in a speech he made last December in which he warned companies about “AI Washing” – that is, making unfounded AI claims to the public. Now the agency has brought settled enforcement actions against two investment advisers for making allegedly false statements about their use of AI technology. As if the enforcement actions themselves were not enough to send the message that the SEC is on the AI beat, the agency also released a video statement from Gensler emphasizing the agency’s AI-related concerns.

The SEC’s March 18, 2024, press release about the enforcement actions can be found here. The SEC’s March 18, 2024, Administrative Order against Delphi (USA) Inc. can be found here. The SEC’s March 18, 2024, Administrative Order against Global Predictions, Inc. can be found here. The link to Gensler’s March 18, 2024, video can be found here.

Continue Reading SEC Hits Two Investment Advisers With “AI Washing” Enforcement Actions

In any discussion these days of emerging directors’ and officers’ risks, the conversation inevitably turns to the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). There is a general perception that while AI presents significant opportunities, it also involves significant liability risks. The contours of the risk that AI represents have yet to develop, largely because the claims have yet to emerge. That is, until now.

Earlier this week, a plaintiff shareholder filed a securities class action lawsuit against the AI-enabled software platform company, Innodata. The plaintiff claims the company misrepresented the extent to which the company’s products and services actually employ AI technology and also the extent of the company’s investment in AI. As discussed further below, as far as I know, this case represents the first AI-related securities class action lawsuit to be filed. A copy of the plaintiff’s February 21, 2024, complaint can be found here.

Continue Reading First AI-Related Securities Suit Filed

The risks and opportunities that AI presents have emerged quickly and may be evolving even faster; the whole AI phenomenon has developed much more quickly than legislators’ and regulators’ ability to respond. Among the many AI effects that regulators and other observers are struggling to assess is the extent of the AI-related litigation potential, including but not limited to the prospects for AI-related corporate and securities litigation.

Continue Reading SEC Chair Warns Against “AI Washing”