Picture this: the weather forecast says “partly cloudy,” but any local will tell you that’s “Copenhagen code” for “sunshine, rain, hail, and a touch of mystery drizzle” all within a half-hour. It’s the season where Danes bring out their hygge survival kits. But it is also the time to attend one of the most vibrant and exciting events – Openli’s AI League of Legends. Okay, I might be biased, but just imagine a full day packed with knowledge sharing, networking, and thought-provoking discussions with some of the brightest minds in tech and law. Here’s a look at my event highlights, the insights shared, and how they reflect the very real future we're all navigating.
If there’s one takeaway I can confidently say that captured the essence of the day, it’s this: the future of AI isn’t just about innovation; it’s about responsibility, adaptability, and teamwork. From the Danish Minister for Digital Affairs to industry experts and practitioners, each speaker brought a unique lens to the conversation around AI and its journey.
The event opened with Caroline Stage Olsen, Danish Minister for Digital Affairs, who highlighted the struggle between potential and responsibility. With the global AI race picking up speed, the Minister stance was clear: it’s not about who finishes first but about creating a framework that genuinely benefits society. “We have to do it the best way possible, not the fastest way possible,” Caroline remarked. In Caroline’s view, Denmark and the EU are in a unique position to set global standards for responsible AI, and she emphasized that Denmark's regulatory approach should act as a lighthouse for ethical tech worldwide.
With everything changing and moving so fast, Caroline raised such a valid point: Are our roles evolving faster than us? It’s a question I believe many of us is asking these days. We are all racing to keep up with technology, try to cope with the significant amount of information that we are blasted with, although at the end of the day technology is supposed to make our live easier, isn’t it?
as exciting as AI and all the tech around it are, let’s not forget to add a human touch. After all, the digital world may be moving fast, but we’ve got the power to steer it in the right direction.
Following the Minister’s speech, Lasse Rindom emphasized the need to integrate AI into business strategies, rather than making AI the singular focus of a company. Instead of getting obsessed over “getting into AI”, companies should look at how AI can amplify their unique offerings and strengths. It’s a mindset that promotes a practical, strategic AI implementation.
In a world where companies often rush to adopt every tech trend, Lasse’s message was so pragmatic. AI is not a silver bullet or a magic wand. It's a tool, indeed, a powerful one, but a tool nonetheless. By blending human strengths with AI capabilities, companies can create an edge that’s both sustainable and authentic. It’s about harnessing AI to boost what makes us, and our businesses, uniquely valuable. The real value of AI only emerges when people learn how to use it effectively, integrating it into business strategies rather than expecting it to be a quick fix.
It’s important to remember that AI won’t magically solve problems for us. And besides, what do we (humans) have that AI doesn’t?
Next up was Phil Lee who discussed over how should we prepare for the new AI Act (‘AIA’). With the AIA approaching, businesses face an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Phil’s presentation focused on the need for strategic and proactive compliance with the upcoming regulation, emphasizing that companies should begin preparing now if they want to stay ahead of the curve.
Phil’s message was simple: for organizations adopting AI, a clear roadmap is essential. For companies, the AIA isn’t about creating roadblocks; it’s a way to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly. It is not about stifling innovation but about creating a safe, fair environment where AI can thrive without causing unintended harm. This means aligning AI initiatives with a broader strategy that considers ethical, legal, and societal impacts.
We all know that AI is reshaping industries, however: is it a cause for wonder or worry?
Don’t wait until the last minute. By building compliance into AI projects now, companies will save a lot of hassle down the road.
Natalija Bitiukova continued with a presentation that aimed to show us that there is hope when dealing with some of the EU regulatory landscapes, including GDPR, AIA, and NIS2. Understanding the challenges is just the beginning; operationalizing them is an entirely different task.
The key advice? Don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead of starting from scratch, companies should leverage existing resources, engage different stakeholders, and take a risk-based approach to compliance. The point Natalija emphasized was collaboration. In a field as complex as AI, no single team or individual can cover all bases. By bringing in voices from across the organization, companies can build a robust compliance framework that’s resilient and adaptable.
Another aspect that Natalija brought into conversation was around the “flight, fight or freeze” scenario. While each mode has its pros and cons, rather than freezing or avoiding action, businesses should focus on unified, data-driven strategies that enhance resilience and compliance. Cybersecurity and compliance are too critical to ignore, and a collaborative approach is key to navigating these complexities effectively.
Check Natalija’s tool – StreamLex, a fantastic resource for companies and professionals navigating regulatory waters.
When Peter Kaas took the floor, he shifted the focus from compliance to the broader realm of AI governance, especially within legal contexts. Peter argued that effective AI governance goes beyond initial deployment. It requires continuous oversight, clear communication, and, most importantly, executive buy-in.
Peter emphasized the importance of cross-functional collaboration in managing AI projects. It’s not enough to simply hand off an AI model to the legal team and expect smooth sailing. Legal professionals must work closely with data scientists, product developers, and business leaders to ensure that AI tools remain aligned with organizational values and legal requirements.
One of Peter’s most resonant points was the need for adaptability, and he advocated for a “test-and-learn” approach, encouraging legal teams to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement rather than perfection. It was a refreshing take, reminding us that governance can be a dynamic process that grows and evolves alongside technology.
Key ingredients for success? The right technology, cross-functional collaboration, solid training, and the courage to experiment. AI is a journey of back-and-forth learning, and the rewards are worth the effort.
In a hands-on presentation, Gabriel Silva demonstrated the process of building AI-powered chatbots for internal use, using tools that require no coding experience. His talk focused on practical, actionable steps for those interested in making AI more accessible to their teams.
Gabriel made AI easy to digest, showing us that AI development doesn’t have to be left to the experts. He encouraged us to think creatively about how we could leverage AI within our own organizations. The goal? Keep it simple and scalable.
For those of us working in international teams, with colleagues spread across different time zones, having on-demand information is crucial. Ultimately, it is about working smart, not hard.
Kasper Heine, Stine Mangor Tornmark, and Anne Brandt Christensen took the stage together to discuss an issue that’s as relevant today as it will be in the future: upskilling. Their presentation focused on the need for professionals, particularly those in the legal field, to continually expand their knowledge base as AI transforms traditional roles.
They argued that the legal professionals of tomorrow will need to be more than just experts in the law. They’ll need to be collaborators, communicators, and critical thinkers who can work alongside engineers and business leaders. It was a call to action for anyone looking to future-proof their career: stay curious, stay adaptable, and never stop learning.
In today’s world, legal teams aren’t just "owners on paper" but partners who bring insights and support. We’re the first line, helping guide decisions, and it’s clear that staying relevant means embracing all these developments, across all areas.
There is a new animal in the legal savanna, with AI skills. If we join the evolution, we will survive. However, I am sure there will be some dinosaurs left behind – to entirely quote Anne.
Closing out the event, Laura Jeffords Greenberg introduced a concept she called “legal webbing.” This idea envisions a future in which legal teams operate not as isolated entities but as interconnected networks that support and collaborate with other departments. In Laura’s view, legal professionals must evolve to embrace experimentation, curiosity, and computational thinking.
In-house legal teams are now reimagining how they work, and legal professionals touch nearly every department, often identifying risks and fostering collaboration, which means they need tailored AI solutions that integrate seamlessly across teams. Instead of waiting for the perfect tool, many are leveraging existing software creatively, aiming to build systems that maximize value. Hence, the future of legal work with AI calls for a new mindset: “AI first.”
As Laura put it, “We learn from our mistakes more than we do from our successes.” It was a fitting close to a day that had been, in many ways, about learning, growth and forward-thinking.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but there is definitely a path forward that involves creativity, adaptability, and a proactive approach to integrating AI thoughtfully within the legal field.
To sum it all up, I’m reminded of Malcolm X’s words: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today”. For me, this quote captures the essence of the Openli AI League of Legends event perfectly. The insights from the event served as a powerful snapshot of where we stand, and where we’re headed, in the AI landscape. There’s an undeniable need for a thoughtful, collaborative approach. By fostering open dialogues, aligning AI projects with core values, and embracing a proactive, experimental mindset, we can guide AI’s potential to genuinely benefit society. The future of AI is bright, but only if we steer it wisely.
Thank you Openli for hosting such a fantastic event, and here’s to the conversations that will continue to shape the world of AI!
PS: Now, let’s be honest: am I really biased?
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