This guide explains how AI and law intersect, what emerging AI laws focus on, and how legal rights and responsibilities may apply when AI systems cause harm, make decisions, or handle sensitive data.
What is AI Law?
AI law is an evolving area of law that governs how artificial intelligence systems are developed, deployed, and used. Rather than being a single statute, AI law draws from multiple legal frameworks, including:- Data privacy and consumer protection laws
- Product liability and negligence law
- Intellectual property law
- Anti-discrimination and civil rights law
- Cybersecurity and data breach regulations
As governments adopt new AI regulation, AI law increasingly focuses on accountability, transparency, and risk management—especially where automated systems impact people’s rights, safety, or personal information.
Key Areas of AI Law
Growing AI adoption has led regulators and courts to focus on key areas of risk and responsibility. These include:- Transparency & Disclosure – Many AI laws emphasize the importance of transparency. This includes whether individuals are informed when AI is being used to make decisions about them, such as credit approvals, hiring decisions, or content moderation.
- Safety & Accountability – AI systems must be reasonably safe for their intended use. When failures occur, such as biased outcomes, unsafe automation, or security vulnerabilities, questions arise about who is responsible.
- Liability – Liability determines who may be legally responsible if AI causes harm. Depending on the situation, responsibility may fall on developers, vendors, employers, or organizations that deploy AI systems.
- Intellectual Property – AI raises complex questions about ownership, copyright, and the use of training data. Legal disputes may involve AI-generated content, data sourcing, or proprietary algorithms.
- Professional Ethics – In regulated professions such as law, healthcare, and finance, ethical rules may limit how AI tools can be used, especially when professional judgment, confidentiality, or client trust is involved.
Examples of Recent Legislation
Recent legislative efforts reflect growing concern around AI risk and accountability. Examples include:- Data protection laws that regulate how AI systems process personal information
- Regulations requiring risk assessments for high-impact AI systems
- Rules governing automated decision-making and consumer disclosures
- Industry-specific regulations addressing AI in healthcare, finance, and employment
These laws aim to balance innovation with safeguards for privacy, fairness, and security.
AI Law & Regulation in Michigan
Michigan does not yet have a single, comprehensive statute governing all uses of artificial intelligence. However, the state has taken several targeted steps that shape how AI regulation, AI privacy, and AI security are handled in specific contexts, while broader AI laws continue to develop.- Political AI disclosure rules – Paid election content created or altered using AI must clearly disclose AI use, including text, images, audio, and video.
- Proposed AI safety legislation – Lawmakers are considering bills focused on AI safety, security, and transparency, particularly for high-risk systems.
- Civil rights considerations – State guidance emphasizes preventing bias and discrimination in automated decision-making.
- Existing laws apply – AI use remains subject to data privacy, cybersecurity, consumer protection, employment, and product liability laws.
Quick FAQs About AI Law & Security
Do I Need a Lawyer for an AI-Related Dispute?
You may need a lawyer if an AI system caused financial harm, privacy violations, discrimination, or security issues. AI-related disputes often involve technical evidence and overlapping legal frameworks, making legal guidance helpful.Can I Sue a Company for AI-Related Harm?
In some cases, yes. Companies may be liable if an AI system they developed or used caused harm due to negligence, defective design, failure to warn, data privacy violations, or unlawful discrimination.What Are My Rights If AI Made a Decision About Me?
Depending on the situation and applicable laws, you may have the right to know that AI was used, access or correct personal data, request explanations for certain decisions, and challenge outcomes that negatively affect you.What Should I Do If AI Caused a Data Breach?
If AI contributed to a data breach, affected individuals and businesses should secure systems immediately, assess what data was exposed, comply with notification requirements, and consider legal and cybersecurity support.How Can Businesses Reduce AI Legal Risk?
Businesses can reduce risk by conducting AI risk assessments, strengthening data security, ensuring transparency in automated decisions, monitoring systems for errors or bias, and staying current with evolving AI laws and regulations.Final Thoughts on AI Law & Security
As artificial intelligence continues to shape decision-making across industries, AI law, AI regulation, AI security, and AI privacy will remain critical areas of legal focus. Understanding how AI and law intersect can help individuals protect their rights and help businesses deploy AI responsibly while reducing legal risk. For more information, contact Harris Law today.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws governing AI vary by jurisdiction and continue to evolve.
