Navigating risk management

Image 1 generated with AI using the prompt: Generate me an image of lawyers using AI tools. Image 2 generated with AI using the prompt: Generate a cartoon of businesses using GenAI badly.

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Image 1: A group of people sitting around a table looking at a computer in a business environment with legal texts on the table. Image 2: Cartoon image showing three office workers misusing AI tools, each with a laptop labelled “AI.” The first, a worried man in a suit with a gavel beside him, says “Giving incorrect legal advice?” The second, a frustrated woman typing, says “Producing inaccurate content?” The third, a shocked man standing near a shredder overflowing with paper, says “Processing client data too?” Above them, bold text reads: “Using GenAI poorly.” The scene humorously highlights common misuses of generative AI in business settings.

Image 1 generated with AI using the prompt: Generate me an image of lawyers using AI tools. Image 2 generated with AI using the prompt: ...

Use of AI tools and Generative AI (GenAI) tools in particular is rapidly increasing, with GenAI capabilities added to everyday technologies and software, as well as bespoke tools. This does not mean that the use of such tools is problem free, particularly for organisations.

In May 2023, New York lawyer Steven A Schwartz, referenced a number of legal cases in legal documents that were entirely fictitious, having relied on GenAI (ChatGPT) to supplement his legal research. Six of the seven cases referred to were entirely bogus. When required to explain his actions, Schwartz indicated that he was “unaware that [ChatGPT] content could be false” (Armstrong, 2023).

This example may make you laugh or groan at the actions of legal professionals against the backdrop of GenAI (mis)use. However, even though a simple, small-scale example, it serves to illustrate some of the very real risks that arise with the use of GenAI tools in organisations – and how the use of such tools should be managed.

This course will explore the considerations and concerns surrounding the use of Generative AI tools in organisations. Particular areas of concern arise with issues such as data protection, professional accountability, and the integrity of client-facing services.

It considers some of the interplay between humans and non-humans and discuss some of the main risks associated with the uses of GenAI, including some considerations for managing and mitigating some of the risks posed by the growing use of GenAI tools.

It also assumes you that you have some understanding of how GenAI and Large Language Models (LLMs) work. If you are not sure about this, or would find a refresher useful, we recommend you start with the first course in the series, Understanding Generative AI.

This is a self-paced course of around 180 minutes including a short quiz. We have divided the course into sections, so you do not need to complete the course in one go. You can do as much or as little as you like. If you pause you will be able to return to complete the course at a later date. Your answers to any activities will be saved for you.

A digital badge and a course certificate are awarded upon completion. To receive these, you must complete all sections of the course and pass the course quiz.