SINGAPORE, 12 September 2023 – TechLaw.Fest, Asia’s premier law and technology conference, returns this month, bringing together global legal, tech and government leaders to discuss topics ranging from last year’s crypto crash to generative artificial intelligence (“AI”).

Now in its sixth year, TechLaw.Fest will return to a fully in person conference at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21 and 22 September 2023. Co-organised by the Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”), MP International and Singapore’s Ministry of Law, this year’s conference explores what is next for topics such as AI regulation, online safety and regulation of online intermediaries.  

Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law, Mr Edwin Tong, SC, will deliver the keynote speech on the first day while Dr Ian Walden, Professor of Information and Communications Law at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, will take the main stage on day two.

We welcome back Dr Walden who was a keynote speaker at TechLaw.Fest in 2016. He recently served as the centre’s director from 2018 to 2022 and has contributed to law reform projects for the World Bank, European Commission, and human rights group Council of Europe. He was also a board member and trustee of the Internet Watch Foundation, a leading tech charity working globally to eliminate online abuse. His expertise combines academic research, practical experience, and a deep understanding of the changing legal landscape.

International law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is once again TechLaw.Fest 2023’s Global TechLaw Partner. Mr William Hallatt, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Global Financial Regulatory Practice, and Mr Connell O’Neill, Head of Gibson Dunn’s APAC TMT Practice, will share their insights at the conference on the recent crypto crash and the complexities of generative AI. 

On behalf of the firm, Mr Hallatt said: “Both the law of technology and the technological tools in the practice of law are evolving at an increasingly fast pace. New technologies, like generative artificial intelligence, are profoundly changing the practice of law and challenging the boundaries of existing regulations. Gibson Dunn is excited to once again support and partner TechLaw.Fest, Asia’s leading law and technology forum.”

A conference highlight is its timely deep dive into generative AI, uncovering the transformative potential of the much talked about technology. However, its potential is accompanied by legal complexities, relating to intellectual property, copyright, privacy and data protection, civil liability and content moderation/misinformation or disinformation. Two panels on the first day, featuring policymakers, academics and practitioners will flesh out these issues for attendees.

At a time when many countries, China being the latest, are making their regulatory and governance approaches known, experts at the conference will compare and contrast varying frameworks, measures and laws across jurisdictions. TechLaw.Fest will also address sweeping global shifts in the regulation of online intermediaries, with the spotlight on Asian unicorns and the pace of regulatory adoption by governments in the region.

Another session will analyse the aftermath of the crypto crash and chart a possible path forward. Experts will also debate the causes of this crash, dubbed the crypto winter, and explore the pivotal role of regulations in shaping the cryptocurrency landscape.

Speakers include influential industry figures like Mr Timothy Ma, Head of International Privacy and Data Protection Department at Tencent; Mr Tarik Erk, SVP of Regulatory Compliance for Crypto.com; and Professor David Tan, Co-Director, Centre for Technology, Robotics, AI & the Law at the National University of Singapore (“NUS”).

SAL Chief Executive Mr Yeong Zee Kin said: “AI, in particular generative AI, has recently swept the world by storm, moving from fringe to mainstream attention in a very short time. The technology has led to remarkable progress in many fields with vast improvements seen in productivity, efficiency and decision-making.

“But this has also highlighted concerns such as client confidentiality when deploying large language models, while model development using data accessible from the public Internet raises issues relating to data privacy and copyright.

“Through TechLaw.Fest, SAL will continue to lead conversations on such hot button issues that straddle the law of tech and the tech of law. Through these platforms, we can help stakeholders keep their finger on the pulse of developments in this evolving landscape.”

These conversations will be complemented by the launch of Technology Regulation in the Digital Economy, a new Academy Publishing title penned by Mr Yeong. The book delves into the role of telecommunications regulations in maintaining communication infrastructure, and the role of net neutrality laws in digital infrastructure. Moreover, it discusses how data is regulated, both to enhance business efficiency and to safeguard consumer interests and expectations of privacy.

In addition, delegates to TechLaw.Fest 2023 will get to meet the winners of this year’s Asia-Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association (ALITA) awards. The awards will be given out for six different categories – Legal Innovation/Legal Tech for Good; Outstanding Legal Innovator (Law Firm); Outstanding Legal Innovator (In-house and Operations); Outstanding Legal Innovator (Solutions Provider); Outstanding Legaltech Entrant; and People’s Choice.

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About TechLaw.Fest

TechLaw.Fest is a signature Law & Technology event hosted annually in Singapore. TechLaw.Fest brings together the international community to debate, deliberate, act and innovate in both the law of technology (policies, regulations, legislation, case law and governance) and the technology of law (infrastructure, business transformation and people development). It is co-organised by the Singapore Academy of Law, Singapore’s Ministry of Law and MP Singapore. More information can be found at www.techlawfest.com.  

About the Singapore Academy of Law

The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL)’s vision is to make Singapore the legal hub of Asia. SAL works with our stakeholders to set new precedents of excellence in Singapore law through developing thought leadership, world-class infrastructure and legal solutions. More information can be found at www.sal.org.sg.

About Ministry of Law, Singapore

The mission of the Singapore Ministry of Law (MinLaw) is to advance access to justice, rule of law, the economy and society through policy, law and services. MinLaw drives legal reforms, oversees the policy for development, promotion and regulation of Singapore’s legal sector, and advances Singapore’s national interests through international legal policy and cooperation. In addition, MinLaw regulates moneylending and pawnbroking, licenses law practices, registers foreign-qualified legal practitioners, supervises precious stones and metal dealers, and provides community legal services such as legal aid, criminal defence aid, community mediation, insolvency administration, and public trustee services. MinLaw also oversees land policy and administration, and the development of Singapore’s intellectual property sector supported by its statutory boards.

For more information, please visit MinLaw’s website at www.mlaw.gov.sg.

About MP Singapore

Trusted since 1987, MPI embodies more than a quarter century of event building, marketing and management experience in both Eastern and Western cultures, practices, and business philosophies. We bring world-class talent, industry expertise, and incredible enthusiasm into the design and management of extraordinary online-to-offline experiences for your organisation. MPI is part of Pico Group, a global group of agencies specialising in engaging people, creating experiences and activating brands for businesses, institutions and governments. As part of the Pico group, MPI has unlimited access to a wide network of industry contacts and resources. Pico Far East Holdings has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1992. For more information, visit www.mpinetwork.com.