DLA Piper TechLaw Podcast Series

Resetting Tech M&A: what’s driving the deal landscape in 2025? In this TechLaw podcast episode, Jane Maginness and Conor Dolphin unpack the current state of tech M&A – from stalled exits and valuation gaps to AI-driven acquisitions and cross-border PE interest. They explore how macroeconomic shifts, regulatory pressures and strategic refocusing are reshaping deal activity, and...

Rise of the Robots: what do humanoid robots mean for the future of work, manufacturing and regulation? In this episode of the TechLaw podcast series, Michael Stead and Kurt Davies explore the evolution from industrial bots to cobots to the next frontier — humanoid robots. They unpack the emerging legal and ethical questions, the rapid pace of innovation, and what businesses need to consider...

What does the EU Digital Decade mean for innovation, regulation and AI compliance across Europe? In this episode of the TechLaw podcast series, Maria Fitzpatrick, Claire O’Brien and Sarah Kelly unpack the EU’s digital transformation strategy — from the 2030 targets and enforcement landscape to the practical implications of the EU AI Act for global businesses.   #TechLaw #EUD...

How is AI reshaping jobs in the tech sector – and what do employers need to know? In this episode of the TechLaw podcast series, Jennifer Holyoake and Marta Borówka explore the real workforce impact of AI – from automation and redundancies to legal risks, reskilling challenges, and the growing need for AI literacy at senior levels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Digital transformation is more than a trend - it's a continuous journey. Our Tech Index 2024 looks at the rise of blockchain to the advancements in AI and the potential of quantum computing, the evolution never stops. Organisations must adapt and lead the way in this ever-changing landscape. Mark O'Conor, Paul Allen and Chloe Forster take a deep dive into digital transformation. See omnystudio.com...

With 63% of respondents to our Tech Index 2024 identifying AI as the key area for potential growth, and 72% in Europe seeing it as critical, the impact of AI is undeniable. Our results also show that 7 in 10 organizations view AI as a significant driver of change and innovation over the next five years. Mark O'Conor, Gareth Stokes and Jeanne Dauzier explore the advancements, challenges, and opport...

Despite global economic and political challenges, our Tech Index 2024 reveals a striking trend: sustainability and ESG priorities are accelerating, driven by new regulations and growing stakeholder pressure. While some sectors have shifted focus due to short-term crises, the vast majority continue to prioritize environmental and social responsibility, with Africa leading the charge. Mark O'Conor,...

Over the past 25 years, technology has driven Africa's development, with mobile telecoms and innovative financial services playing a key role. Today, around 800 million Africans have internet-capable devices, and a significant majority in many countries use mobile money platforms. While rural connectivity remains a challenge, efforts are underway with the expansion of fibre, satellite, and wireles...

Is IP a stimulus or hindrance to innovation? In the latest episode of our Tech Law video series, Mark O'Conor, Marlene Winther-Plas, Alexis Fierens, and Frank Valentin explore the current IP landscape. They discuss the role of IP in fostering innovation and creativity, the impact of AI and the AI Act , and why we don't need to rewrite legislation for every new innovation. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Hardy Pemhiwa (President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies) joins Mike Conradi (Partner and Global Co-Chair - Telecoms) to discuss the opportunities and challenges inherent to Africa's digital infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, DLA Piper partner Michael Heene joins Kosta Starosin, Director of Legal at Cohere, for a deep dive into the impact of AI on the legal sector.  We discuss three main topics:  -    How AI is likely to change law firms, both big and small, -    How the technology will impact how clients do business, -    What new competences and players will be appearing on the market. See omnystudio...

In this episode, DLA Piper lawyers Laurent De Surgeloose and Pierre Dion are joined by FTI Consulting colleagues Elinor Wahal, expert in European and International AI Governance and Director at FTI Consulting Brussels, and Sabine Clappaert, Lead of the People in Transformation Practise at FTI in Brussels, to explore the topic of AI at the workplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

In this episode, DLA Piper lawyers Heidi Waem and Simon Verschaeve are joined by academics Prof. Dr. Eva Lievens and Dr. Valerie Verdoodt to explore the topic of AI products aimed at children and the use of children's data in the context of AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of our TechLaw Podcast Series, Mark O'Conor, Edward Griffiths and Omar Khabbaz delve into the current trends in the Tech M&A landscape, with a particular focus on the recent craze sparked by AI. Discover how AI is reshaping the M&A space, driving innovation, and transforming the tech industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New technologies are turbo-charging digital transformation and its regulatory landscape. Mark O’Conor, Sophie Lessar, Vinny Sanchez and Bennett Borden explore how AI is driving digital transformation within the financial services and insurance sectors. The discussion raises the question of whether sector-specific AI regulations are necessary. As technology advances faster than regulations, compani...

Mark O'Conor, Bennett Borden, Gareth Stokes, and Victoria C. Albrecht (Founder and CEO, Springbok AI) discuss the future of AI. AI is disrupting the white-collar workforce and having a profound impact on knowledge workers. Sectors such as insurance and financial services, which heavily rely on data and algorithms, are among the first to adopt AI systems and face sector-specific regulations in the...

New AI technology is changing the practice of law. In this podcast, Hannah Smith and Bennett Borden discuss this disruptive, yet very exciting technology whilst exploring issues such as data protection and client confidentiality, and the potential of AI to challenge the traditional business model of law firms. The discussion also goes into CoCounsel, an AI legal assistant tool powered by GPT-4, wh...

Companies use artificial intelligence to take decisions that can have a significant impact on our lives. AI must be regulated to protect ourselves, and to use technology without manipulation or bias. Mark O'Conor, Vincent Sanchez, Larissa Bifano, and Giulio Coraggio discuss to which standards AI should be held. Who is liable when AI fails to perform? Is there an ongoing obligation to audit AI tool...

One in ten companies we surveyed for our Tech Index report say they are not currently monetizing data or have no plan to do so in future – a surprising finding in world that is increasingly data-driven. In this podcast, Mark O'Conor, Anthony Lloyd and Andrew Dyson discuss the latest findings of our report in this area. Our guests believe that data monetization is going on much more widely than the...

Following the launch of our Tech Index 2022 report, Margo H.K. Tank, Kristi Swartz and Mark O'Conor discuss fintech and financial services regulation from an Asia and US perspective.  Financial institutions are at the forefront of pushing the digital transformation agenda. There is a sense of urgency for the large and traditional market players to compete with the fintech challengers and they will...

Respondents to our Tech Index 2022 survey continue to see real benefits from adopting 5G technology, including faster processing power, increased connectivity, reduced latency and the ability to develop more efficient business models. In this video, Mark O'Conor and Mike Conradi discuss the findings of the Tech Index 2022 report in the area of 5G and its use cases and future opportunities. We're c...

Global headwinds are impacting businesses and consumers but the Technology market is booming globally. Tech has a critical role to play in building economic resilience and opening new pathways to growth, even in tough economic times. In this video Mark O'Conor, Larissa Bifano, Giulio Coraggio and Vinny Sanchez discuss the sense of confidence in the tech sector. Will increased regulation be a barri...

Part two in our TechLaw podcast series sees Gokul Mani, Head of Middle East, Africa & India from London Stock Exchange resume his conversation with Trudy Wamala Karugaba, a partner in DLA Piper Africa’s, Uganda office. Following their discussion around the global capital markets landscape for Africa Tech, Gokul and Trudy turn their attention to the development of the capital markets landscape on t...

In Part 1 of Episode 47 in our TechLaw Podcast Series, Gokul Mani, Head of Middle East, Africa & India from London Stock Exchange, joins Trudy Wamala Karugaba from DLA Piper Africa’s Uganda office to discuss the global capital markets landscape for African Tech, explaining why London provides an attractive listing destination for companies seeking to grow and expand internationally. Find out more:...

Part two of Episode 46 in our TechLaw podcast series sees Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer for Google X, bestselling author, serial entrepreneur and founder of the One Billion Happy movement, resume his conversation with DLA Piper partner and co-chair of the Technology Sector, Kit Burden. Following on from their discussion around AI, ethics and regulation, they also look at the relationshi...