On March 31, the LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession at IE Law School welcomed Jeff Bullwinkel, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs at Microsoft EMEA. Held at IE Tower, the event gathered partners and executives from law firms and companies collaborating with the Center, offering first-hand insight into the impact of AI and global trends.

A Changing World

Bullwinkel began by outlining the historical evolution of technology — from the steam engine and electricity to the internet and artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that we are currently at a historical inflection point in technology, with AI playing a pivotal role in transforming various industries, including legal services.

He highlighted the rapid adoption of generative AI, noting that it took only three months for ChatGPT to reach 100 million users, a testament to the technology’s widespread impact.

AI in Legal Services

Bullwinkel discussed how AI is reshaping the legal profession, noting that 72% of global industry organizations have adopted AI in at least one business function — with the legal sector leading the way.

Responsible AI and Data Protection

Regarding Microsoft’s approach to responsible AI, Bullwinkel outlined the company’s core principles: fairness, transparency, accountability, reliability and safety, privacy and security, and inclusiveness. He also discussed the EU Data Boundary initiative, which ensures that professional services data, as well as customer and pseudonymized personal data, remains protected within the EU and EFTA regions.

Global AI Governance

Bullwinkel stressed the importance of governance and regulation in the AI landscape. He highlighted international efforts — including the OECD AI Principles, G20 AI Principles, UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of AI, and the EU AI Act — and underscored Microsoft’s commitment to advancing AI governance in Europe.

The event offered valuable insights into the transformative power of AI and the importance of responsible practices. As the legal sector continues to navigate the complexities of technology and geopolitics, the LawAhead Center remains at the forefront of these vital discussions.

ABOUT THE LAWAHEAD CENTER AT IE LAW SCHOOL

The IE Law School’s LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing the legal sector both in Spain and globally. The Center was initially made up of large business law firms such as CMS Albiñana, Cuatrecasas, Gómez Acebo y Pombo, Garrigues, Pérez-Llorca, Roca Junyent, Sagardoy Abogados and Uría Menéndez. More recently, major corporations such as AENA, CaixaBank, Mapfre, Microsoft, and Telefónica have also joined the initiative.