Do I need legal advice before starting an AI project?

Answered

Yes. Seek legal, compliance and data protection advice early — including during product development. The ICO is clear that senior management and DPOs cannot leave AI data-protection issues to engineers alone. Cover equalities, fairness, intellectual property and other legal issues.

From the guidance

Primary (how) AI Playbook for the UK Government

Your use of AI tools must be lawful and responsible. You should seek legal advice on the development and use of AI and engage with compliance, legal and data protection experts in your organisation early in your journey, including during product development.

Section: Principle 2: You use AI lawfully, ethically and responsibly

Read this in AI Playbook for the UK Government (opens in new tab)

Secondary (normative) ICO: Accountability and governance implications of AI

You cannot delegate these issues to data scientists or engineering teams. Your senior management, including DPOs, are also accountable for understanding and addressing them appropriately and promptly (although overall accountability for data protection compliance lies with the controller, ie your organisation).

Section: How should we approach AI governance and risk management?

Read this in ICO: Accountability and governance implications of AI (opens in new tab)

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