International Bar Association

A successful first Global Dialogue on AI Governance should aim to advance ethical and globally consistent frameworks that uphold the rule of law and human rights, while remaining adaptable to technological change. It would encourage inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement, recognising the global legal sector and legal profession's role in safeguarding justice and professional ethics. Some key outcomes could include strengthening of AI governance policies, clear professional responsibilities, technological competence, ethical safeguards, and practical measures such as risk assessments and monitoring. It is also important to note that equitable access, capacity-building, and international collaboration are essential for ensuring that AI enhances trust, accountability, and the integrity of legal systems worldwide.

• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• Protection and promotion of human rights
• Transparency, accountability, and human oversight
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI

The International Bar Association (IBA), in collaboration with the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), released a comprehensive report in September 2024 titled The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession. The report examines AI's transformative impact on legal practice and provides critical guidance on its ethical and responsible use, emphasizing how AI can support society while upholding justice. The link to access this report is available here: https://www.ibanet.org/document?id=The-future-is%20now-AI-and-the-legal-profession-report Reflecting the IBA's commitment to the rule of law and ethical practice, the report stresses the importance of transparency, accountability, and human oversight in AI deployment. Legal professionals are urged to maintain high ethical standards, ensuring AI enhances, rather than compromises, the integrity of legal processes. Recognising that AI governance is still evolving, the report highlights the need for impact assessments throughout the AI lifecycle to ensure compliance with legal and ethical obligations and prevent distortions of justice. The IBA International Principles on Conduct for the Legal Profession have been updated to reference AI in the context of technological competence, requiring lawyers to stay informed and skilled in using relevant technologies. Similarly, the IBA International Principles on Social Media Conduct highlight responsibility, confidentiality, and maintaining public confidence, which are principles equally relevant to AI use. Building on these foundations, the IBA seeks to provide practical and legal guidance to position itself as a leader in AI legal policy. Key priorities include promoting accessible AI adoption, particularly for smaller firms; strengthening governance and policy frameworks; supporting structural and cultural changes within law firms; facilitating AI-focused training; encouraging inclusive and coherent regulation; and fostering global collaboration and knowledge-sharing.