29: Why companies have human rights, and how they can use them

The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUAB) could transform companies’ use of data and prompt an AI and data revolution according to Anna Flanagan. And Lucia Doran guides us through some recent pitfalls in the use of AI in litigation. 

Litigation has so far been a fruitful avenue for climate activists seeking to change the behaviour of companies and governments, but decisions in two recent cases have not gone their way, and we set the scene for a major culture vs AI courtroom stand off.

We hear why a new commercial court in Germany is using English to woo companies away from arbitration. And we investigate whether an Australian ban on foreigners buying property will work. 

The UK scored a political coup by being the first country to come to a tariff-mitigating trade agreement with the US, but does it cause more problems than it solves? 

The UK’s has announced plans to support the sharing of health data but will it try to outpace Europe? Louise Fullwood fills us in, while Wouter Seinen explains how the EU is changing AI regulation in response to China’s advances. 

Companies in the UK and Europe are entitled to a surprising range of human rights protections for everything from freedom of speech to privacy. David Thorneloe explains how firms can turn the rights to their advantage.

We hear from Nils Rauer on why most AI output should not attract copyright protection; and from Lucy Townley on new rights in the UK for unions to access physical or even digital workplaces. 

The carbon emitted when things are built could be a major source of claims in the future. Anne-Marie Friel has ideas about what the industry can do now to head off that risk. And examining the latest ideas to help Ireland become an AI hub with Maureen Daly. 

Retailers must improve their data quality if they are to benefit from AI says Edwina Dunn, the retail data science expert who launched market-changing mass customisation scheme, the Clubcard. And Florian Traub advises on how best to manage that data.

Companies are beginning to report climate and social impacts under new EU rules, but sustainability reporting expert James Hay hears that some are now worried about exposing themselves to legal risk through over disclosure. Recommended listening: our recent Brain Food For General Counsel podcast on climate legal risk.