The Impact of Emerging Technology on The Law and Startups

Startup LAWnchpad is the podcast that educates entrepreneurs about forming, growing, and protecting a startup. Startup LAWnchpad is produced by the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic at Fordham University School of Law in New York City.

Episode Description: 

Third year Fordham Law students Abby Kucharczyk (‘23) and Chelsea Lim (‘23) welcome lawyer Alina Kipnis for a discussion about the impact of emerging technologies on the law and lawyering, specifically how recent technologies such as ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence have raised novel legal questions and how these questions have impacted lawyers, startups and entrepreneurs. They also discuss how the use of technology can streamline legal work for attorneys, but also has the potential of raising legal and ethical issues. 

Episode Roadmap:

• [:46] Abby Kucharczyk introduces herself and Chelsea Lim, who offers an overview of today’s episode. 

• [1:56] Definitions of what ChatGPT is and what it is capable of, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and IP (intellectual property). 

• [2:35] Introducing guest and lawyer Alina Kipnis, who explains how technology has impacted lawyers advising startups. 

• [4:48] General novel issues facing startup attorneys in niche startups. 

• [7:37] Recent news developments regarding technology tools and ways lawyers have been leveraging these tools to their benefit.  

• [11:18] Noteworthy drawbacks of relying too heavily on technology, especially regarding social security and cybersecurity risks.

• [13:47] Ethical considerations and limitations that lawyers need to be mindful of when using technology such as ChatGPT. 

• [19:03] The impact of legal technological advances on startup growth and formation and Alina’s startup tool recommendations. 

• [21:28] The current and future role of lawyers amidst advancing technologies. 

• [22:21] Common setbacks and opportunities facing startups when utilizing technological tools. 

• [26:30] A look to the future of technology law and possibilities within the industry. 

Tweetables:

• “Technology is impacting our everyday life, whether in the personal or professional sphere, so it’s a very interesting time to become entrenched and immersed in the space.” - Alina Kipnis

• “Most of the technology being used today is new and still evolving. That means that regulators have yet to catch up to effective rule making and policy making to protect the public.” - Alina Kipnis

• “It’s an exciting time, but there are also many unknowns.” - Alina Kipnis

• “Technology has many benefits, but it does come with its own issues and risks.” - Alina Kipnis

• “ChatGPT and other technological tools should only be used as a starting point resource instead of the resource when it comes to legal work.” - Alina Kipnis

• “Technology cannot eliminate the technological skills that lawyers bring to the table.” - Alina Kipnis

Additional Resources:

• Fordham’s Entrepreneurial Law Clinic

• Follow us on Twitter @FordhamELC

Sponsors:

• Nasdaq Educational Foundation

• Fordham’s Entrepreneurial Law Advisory Council

Disclaimer:

The information contained in the Startup LAWnchpad podcast and any materials associated therewith (the