Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the financial services sector, creating new opportunities for innovation, efficiency and competitive advantage. But alongside these advances comes a complex and evolving set of intellectual property (IP) challenges that firms can no longer afford to overlook.
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In this series, we explore the key legal considerations shaping the intersection of AI and IP in a South African and global context. From the risks of copyright infringement in AI training and outputs, to the shifting landscape of patent protection, and finally to the critical role of trade secrets in safeguarding proprietary systems, this series provides a practical roadmap for navigating uncertainty.
The legal position in many of these areas remains unsettled. Courts and regulators across jurisdictions are still grappling with foundational questions around ownership, infringement and protection. For financial services firms, however, the risks are immediate and real—whether through the use of third-party AI tools, the development of internal systems, or the handling of sensitive data.
This series is designed to help organisations understand where the key risks lie, how global developments may influence local exposure, and what steps can be taken now to protect valuable AI-driven assets.
