Tecnologías emergentes

Emerging Technologies: AI, Blockchain, FinTech, BioTech, and Defense Tech

Guiding Innovation with Precision, Compliance, and Foresight

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies are transforming the way organizations operate, compete, and grow. These innovations create many opportunities and complex legal, regulatory, and ethical challenges.

 

Kirton McConkie’s emerging technologies team helps entrepreneurs and businesses responsibly and effectively harness these tools across a wide range of industries and geographies. Drawing on deep experience across intellectual property (IP), data privacy, corporate, finance, transactional, litigation, and regulatory disciplines, our attorneys partner with clients to build resilient strategies that drive innovation while managing risk domestically and across borders.

 

Whether advising a startup training large language models, a global enterprise deploying blockchain-based platforms, or a venture capital fund evaluating potential investments, Kirton McConkie’s approach is pragmatic, informed, and focused on real-world business outcomes.

Core Focus Areas
Artificial Intelligence

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are reshaping industries from finance to healthcare and everything in between, yet deployment raises complex legal issues around data usage, data protection, IP, compliance, and accountability. Kirton McConkie advises clients at every stage of the AI lifecycle, from research and product design to commercialization and governance.

 

Our AI-related services include:

  • Governance and compliance – navigating state, federal, and international AI regulations, including the EU AI Act and U.S. state-level laws, and developing AI and data governance programs and acceptable use policies.
  • Data and IP strategy – advising on ownership, copyright, trademark, and trade secret protection for AI-generated works, algorithms, and datasets.
  • Model licensing and commercialization – structuring licenses, joint ventures, collaborations, and technology transactions involving machine learning and AI systems.
  • Ethical and responsible AI – helping clients establish policies to prevent algorithmic bias, discrimination, ensure transparency, and promote responsible deployment.
  • Litigation and disputes – representing clients in AI-related IP and commercial disputes, as well as data privacy and other regulatory enforcement actions.
Blockchain and Digital Assets

 

Blockchain technology continues to redefine how businesses exchange value, create and verify authenticity, democratize operations, and manage data across Web3 platforms. From smart contracts to digital tokens, we help clients navigate a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape, both in the U.S. and abroad.

 

Our blockchain counsel includes:

  • Regulatory compliance – advising on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state regulatory frameworks governing token offerings and digital assets, including registration, jurisdiction, and enforcement issues for cryptocurrency platforms and Layer-1 and Layer-2 ventures.
  • Smart contracts and commercial agreements – drafting and negotiating enforceable blockchain-based contracts.
  • Cross-border and financial compliance – addressing money-transmission, Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) sanctions, and international jurisdictional and regulatory issues.
  • Corporate and investment transactions – structuring mergers, acquisitions, and financings for blockchain and fintech ventures.
  • IP and data rights – protecting blockchain innovations, protocols, and digital identity frameworks.
  • Forex companies – assisting cryptocurrency companies that offer currency foreign exchange platforms with legal and regulatory challenges in blockchain, digital asset, and currency exchange markets, including crypto binary option trading.
Data Privacy, Data Protection, and Cybersecurity

 

Data is the lifeblood of all advanced technologies and is among the most regulated assets in business. Kirton McConkie attorneys help clients design compliant, secure, and resilient systems for data collection, management, transmission, and use.

 

We advise on:

  • Global privacy compliance – advising on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and evolving U.S. and international data protection regimes in over 150 countries, including helping organizations develop data privacy management programs, drafting privacy notices and policies, and assisting with risk assessments.
  • Cybersecurity and incident response – developing proactive security programs and managing breach responses.
  • AI data governance – structuring lawful data sourcing, consent, and retention policies for AI training and analytics.
  • Vendor and third-party risk – drafting and negotiating data processing agreements and addendums and performing diligence on technology partners.
Aerospace, Robotics, and Defense

 

The rapidly expanding fields of drones, weaponry, robotics, and space technologies present unique legal and regulatory challenges, requiring specialized counsel to navigate innovation from ground to orbit. Kirton McConkie advises public sector and private sector clients on developing, deploying, and commercializing these cutting-edge technologies across both private and government aerospace and defense markets between the U.S. and our trusted allies.

 

Our aerospace, robotics, and defense practice includes global management of:

  • Regulatory compliance – navigating Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and international regulations for unmanned aircraft systems, nuclear and other energy regimes, robotic deployment, and rockets.
  • IP protection – securing patents, trade secrets, and copyrights for drone technologies, robotic systems, propulsion systems, and all types of innovations.
  • Commercial transactions – structuring manufacturing and supply agreements and complying with the Buy American Act, the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act, and other laws impacting supply chains when screening components or contractors.
  • Export controls and sanctions – ensuring compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), anti-boycott laws, and other controls on sensitive aerospace and defense technologies and obtaining licenses.
  • Battlefield and defense software – advising on the development and export of mission-critical software for drones, robotics, and defense platforms, including battlefield survivability and nuclear weapons analysis.
  • Autonomous and next-gen vehicles – navigating U.S.-connected vehicle rules and related supply chain screening for vehicles with advanced software or wireless networking capabilities.
Semiconductor Chips

 

The global semiconductor industry operates within a complex and rapidly evolving legal and regulatory framework, particularly concerning export controls on advanced chips and manufacturing equipment. Kirton McConkie helps clients navigate these critical restrictions, including the latest U.S. government measures aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, ensuring compliance and mitigating significant geopolitical risks. Our expertise helps businesses develop resilient strategies for compliance, licensing, and supply chain management in this high-stakes environment.

 

Our semiconductor chip expertise includes:

  • Export control compliance – guiding clients through U.S. and international regulations like the EAR and ITAR pertaining to semiconductor technology.
  • Licensing and approvals – assisting with obtaining necessary licenses and authorizations for the export or transfer of controlled advanced chips, equipment, and related IP to restricted jurisdictions, including China.
  • Supply chain risk management – developing strategies to assess and mitigate risks in global semiconductor supply chains, addressing country-of-origin rules, foreign direct product rules, and dual-use considerations.
  • Regulatory investigations and enforcement – representing clients in government inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions related to alleged violations of export control and sanctions laws concerning semiconductor technologies.
  • Cross-border transactions and joint ventures – structuring international collaborations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and investments involving sensitive semiconductor technologies, with a focus on navigating restrictions impacting transactions with entities in China.
IP and Technology Transactions

 

Innovation protection is at the heart of emerging technologies. We help clients capture and defend the value of their ideas through strategic IP management and complex technology transactions.

 

Representative matters include:

  • Patents and trade secrets – protecting algorithms, data architectures, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) inventions.
  • Copyright and ownership – securing protection for IP and addressing authorship and derivative work issues for AI-generated content.
  • Technology licensing – drafting and negotiating AI, software, and SaaS (Software as a Service) licensing agreements.
  • Corporate transactions – conducting IP and technology due diligence in M&A, financing, and joint-venture deals.
  • Open-source management – ensuring compliance with open-source licenses in development and deployment environments.
Regulatory and Ethical Compliance

 

Emerging technologies evolve faster than the rules that govern them. We help clients anticipate and adapt to changing expectations from regulators, investors, and consumers.

 

We provide counsel on:

  • AI audits and risk assessments – implementing internal controls to ensure compliance and accountability.
  • Regulatory investigations – representing clients before the FTC, SEC, Department of Justice (DOJ), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and international authorities.
  • ESG and responsible tech – advising on the social and environmental impact of AI, data usage, and automation.
  • Export controls and sanctions – addressing technology transfer and cross-border compliance risks, including evaluating whether a proposed transaction required notification with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and preparing and submitting voluntary notices and declarations.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution

 

As emerging technologies become central to business operations, disputes are inevitable. Kirton McConkie litigators combine subject-matter expertise with strategic insight to resolve conflicts efficiently and protect our clients’ reputations.

 

We handle matters involving:

  • IP and trade secrets disputes over advanced technologies, including AI algorithms and blockchain platforms.
  • Regulatory and enforcement actions involving data privacy, consumer protection, and unfair competition.
  • Contract and commercial disputes arising from technology licensing, joint ventures, collaborations, and performance obligations.
  • Class actions and product liability tied to product development, AI bias, automation failures, or data breaches.
Industry Applications

 

We tailor our counsel to meet the unique regulatory and commercial needs of diverse industries. Our clients include companies in:

 

  • Healthcare and life sciences – AI-enabled diagnostics, data analytics, and FDA-regulated products.
  • Finance and fintech – blockchain payments, automated credit scoring, combatting deepfakes through cryptography, and compliance with financial regulations.
  • Education and public sector – ethical AI use in educational tools and student data management.
  • Manufacturing and energy – robotics, predictive maintenance, and industrial automation.
  • Software and SaaS – integration of AI features, API licensing, and cloud data protection.
Building the Future Responsibly

 

Kirton McConkie is committed to advancing responsible technology innovation. Our attorneys contribute to thought leadership through publications, podcasts, webinars, speaking engagements, and service in the community, helping clients stay informed on the legal frontiers of emerging technologies. We continually monitor developments in U.S. and international laws and regulations, from the EU AI Act to evolving U.S. state laws, ensuring our clients remain ahead of emerging obligations.

 

Follow our latest insights into emerging technology law.

Contact Us

 

The pace of innovation isn’t slowing down, and neither are the legal challenges that accompany it. Kirton McConkie’s emerging technologies attorney help entrepreneurs and businesses innovate with confidence, ensuring their strategies are compliant, ethical, and future-ready.

 

Contact us today to discuss your technology or technology venture.

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