Transparency is a Misplaced Regulatory Focus for Holding Adaptive Software as Medical Devices (SaMDs) Accountable
Quy Mai Adaptive Software as Medical Devices (SaMDs) play an increasingly critical role within clinical settings, assisting physicians with illness detection, diagnosis, and analysis. Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) techniques, such as deep machine learning and neural networks, lends adaptive SaMDs unparalleled analytical power, but not without risks. Adaptive SaMDs are typically “black-box,” meaning that they compute data such that no one can determine how it rendered outputs. “Transparency,” in the form of explainability, is frequently raised in policy discussions as a solution to track when the SaMD has erred in computing outputs. The FDA, in seeking to uphold...
Curbing Widespread Discrimination by Artificial Intelligence Hiring Tools: An Ex Ante Solution
Bradfield E. A. Biggers Artificial intelligence (AI) acolytes insist AI will pave the way for idealistic workplace hiring. Their idea is that AI can circumvent common human frailties, such as prejudices and narrow-mindedness, to achieve social and economic equality. Yet inherent biases permeating into AI algorithms stifle society’s goal of promoting equality in the workplace. Despite a growing awareness of AI’s potential for prejudice, politicians are slow to support substantial legislation regulating AI. Nevertheless, the judiciary will inevitably be tasked with addressing discrimination by AI technologies through an unprecedented construction of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964....
Applied Natural Language Processing for Law Practice
Brian S. Haney Scholars, lawyers, and commentators are predicting the end of the legal profession, citing specific examples of artificial intelligence (AI) systems out-performing lawyers in certain legal tasks. Yet, technology’s role in the practice of law is nothing new. The Internet, email, and databases like Westlaw and Lexis have been altering legal practice for decades. Despite technology’s evolution across other industries, in many ways the practice of law remains static in its essential functions. The dynamics of legal technology are defined by the organization and quality of data, rather than innovation. This Article explores the state of the art...
Computer Fraud: Private Parties Dictating Criminal Behavior
Zachary Schapiro Computers have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life—used in the office and the home for a wide array of features. Prior to using a computer, people must agree to various software and website terms of use. Additionally, employers typically adopt computer use policies which prohibit use of a company computer for personal matters. Many people, either knowingly or unknowingly, violate these terms and policies. Is violating these policies and agreements criminal? Circuit courts disagree on the answer. In some jurisdictions, simple violations of a website’s terms of use or a company’s computer policies could result in criminal...
Google v. Oracle: Weighing Fair Use Factors in Software Copyright Infringement Cases
Guodong Fu The ongoing battle for clarity on the limitation of United States copyright protection in the software industry has yielded inconsistent results over the past ten years. Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc., currently before the Supreme Court, may finally shed some light on the status of copyright protection as applied to software. In deciding the case, the Court must balance the four fair use factors as applied to software copyrights. The Court will likely navigate a fine line to balance maintaining a market of interoperability with fair competition. This Essay argues that the Supreme Court should maintain a...
The Internet of Things: How Digital Copyright Rules Govern Our Physical World
Jessica Barbaria Intellectual property law governs the digital world. Thus, copyright law controls how digital content, such as software, is shared and accessed. Digital content is generally licensed, permitting users to save and use a copy of software but not to own it outright. Because the internet enables monitoring of these licenses, copyright holders can ensure users do not infringe on copyright or violate their license agreements in other ways. Software also enables advanced capabilities in physical products. For example, car manufactures can remotely modify settings to benefit drivers after they buy their cars. That said, software updates come with...
No Safe Harbor: YouTube’s Content Id and Fair Use
Robert Andrea YouTube is arguably the world’s foremost platform for user-generated content. When users upload material to YouTube, there is a possibility that the uploaded content is protected by copyright. Under traditional copyright law, YouTube is technically liable for allowing copyrighted material to be disseminated. But the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) insulates YouTube and other internet service providers from liability if the companies take certain steps to filter out copyrighted material. For YouTube, the only feasible way to fulfill its copyright protection obligations is to utilize automated copyright protection software. Nevertheless, YouTube’s software, Content ID, and the copyright policies...
Apple Bites Back: An Antitrust Analysis of Qualcomm’s Licensing Practices
Marie Weisfeiler Both Apple and the Federal Trade Commission filed lawsuits against Qualcomm alleging antitrust violations. Specifically, both alleged that Qualcomm used its monopoly power to engage in unfair licensing practices and create an exclusive deal with Apple, in violation of its industry commitment to use fair practices in licensing its patents. This essay compares Qualcomm’s practices to those of Microsoft in 1998, which, because of Microsoft’s restrictive licensing and exclusive deals, were deemed to have violated the Sherman Act. It then considers the implications for licensing, technology, and antitrust law if a similar case is litigated in the future....
Protect Your Own Data: Interactive Streaming Narratives and Data Privacy Concerns
Sabra Paige Hopkins Black Mirror: Bandersnatch exemplifies the value of data gathered from interactive streaming narratives. Netflix can utilize its wealth of subscriber data to push targeted product placements to subscribers based on their demographic data. Data on subscriber choices could also be used to increase the accuracy of Netflix’s recommendation algorithm. In the wake of data privacy regulations, companies must justify their data collection and processing practices. Read Full Text Here
Blockchain and Copyright: Vain Hope for Photographers?
Jason Kim Blockchain technology has near unlimited application potential, and its influence could extend all the way to the copyright industry. For photographers, blockchain technology might serve as a safe and efficient tool to detect infringement. However, this notion must be treated with caution. Blockchain’s security applications are indeed a valuable prospect, but the technology has critical flaws that prevent it from becoming the panacea for photographer. Read Full Text Here