Adopting AI responsibly requires an understanding of applicable laws and regulations, as well as industry standards, guidance and best practice. Our multi-disciplinary team of lawyers, technologists and governance experts draw this together to develop and implement AI governance frameworks that are proportionate for your organisational context, strategy and risk posture. This requires aligning your AI governance to existing policies and processes across your organisation, including acceptable use of IT, cyber security, vendor onboarding and risk management and reporting.

Your AI strategy should align with your organisation’s broader priorities and risk appetite, and focus on high-impact opportunities.

Our AI specialists can lead a tailored and collaborative series of workshops with your leadership to define and agree on organisational approach for AI, considering both internal goals and objectives as well as external risks and competition.

We work alongside you to develop your AI strategy, including people, processes, systems, measures, and investments, for the adoption of an operating model that maximises the benefits of an AI enabled organisation, while effectively managing the risks.

Organisations need to ensure their platforms, systems and data are ready for safe and scalable AI adoption. This includes access to quality data, model hosting capabilities, and alignment with digital cybersecurity standards. We review your AI data strategy for how enterprise data and information is used and created by AI solutions to implement the appropriate controls and deliver the enabling projects to enable the organisation's ambition.

Organisations can often lack transparency into model provenance, security practices and compliance posture. Weak contractual protections and limited audit rights heighten exposure to IP disputes, data breaches and operational failures. We support the selection and management of AI enabled vendors and AI software vendors. 

As AI adoption reshapes roles and workflows, many organisations lack a clear plan for redeployment, upskilling and engagement. Without proactive workforce strategies, businesses risk productivity dips, industrial relations challenges and reputational harm from perceived neglect of employee wellbeing. Our AI specialists provide legal and operational advice to ensure there are clear directions to workplace about how AI can be used, and appropriate workplace consultation.

AI Assurance is essential for building trust in AI systems by ensuring its use is safe, ethical, and aligned with regulatory and organisational standards. ISO/IEC 42001 provides a globally recognised framework for managing AI risks across the lifecycle, supporting internal audit, governance, and compliance. Our ISO/IEC 42001 accredited AI Advisory team embed assurance principles from AI Procurement—through contractual clauses and vendor requirements— to decommissioning, helping organisations mitigate risks early and enforce responsible AI practices through the lifecycle.

AI is driving a new wave of disputes across IP, contracts, data and regulatory compliance. As AI legal frameworks evolve and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, organisations without clear response protocols and specialist capability risk prolonged investigations, reputational damage and commercial disruption. We provide practical support for all AI-related disputes, investigations, IP and privacy matters.

MinterEllison Consulting deployed an internal AI tool to support a rapid response to a significant data breach involving decades of sensitive, unstructured information. The solution enabled efficient scanning and indexing of large volumes of documents, including handwritten notes and case files, to identify and notify affected individuals under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme. The approach reduced manual review time, minimised staff exposure to sensitive materials, and ensured compliance with regulatory obligations through scalable, timely notifications and enhanced data privacy safeguards. 

Contact our team: 

Shannon Sedgwick 

Paul Kallenbach

Performed a comprehensive review of client’s privacy documents, including Privacy Policy and applicable Collections Notices, Privacy Procedures and Privacy Playbook to enable safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence, in compliance with Australian Privacy Laws. 

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Sonja Read

Chelsea Gordon

AI Policy and Governance Framework developed by MinterEllison’s AI Advisory team, addressed high risk fragmented AI implementation and inconsistent approval processes across jurisdictions causing inefficiencies. The framework included an AI system use review, streamlined governance processes, an AI Ethics Implementation Guide, a Risk Assessment methodology, and practical governance tools like the AI Impact Assessment Tool. 

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Shane Evans  

Chelsea Gordon 

Sam Burrett

A NSW Government agency operating critical infrastructure sought to enhance its AI governance capabilities to meet evolving operational demands. The organisation needed to navigate a complex regulatory landscape, including overlapping state and federal legislation. They required a scalable AI governance approach aligned with public sector requirements and critical infrastructure considerations. The agency was advised by MinterEllison’s AI Advisory team on legal regulatory standards, and our team developed a modular AI Governance Framework specific to the client’s regulatory context, created tailored risk assessment tools, established clear governance processes, and delivered practical implementation guides for consistent application across business units. 

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Shane Evans  

Chelsea Gordon 

Sam Burrett

Designed the use case canvas and prioritisation framework, focusing on return on investment and risk versus reward. Oversaw selected proofs of concept programme ensuring outputs met the use case canvas objectives and wider strategy of the function. Also ran a full day workshop with users to improve adoption, literacy and ideation for new use cases. 

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Jason McQuillen 

Matt Johnson 

Sam Burrett

Developed AI Governance Standards and Guidelines to set base requirements for all portfolio and group companies, aligned to regulation and appropriate voluntary standards. 

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Jason McQuillen 

Sam Burrett 

Chelsea Gordon

MinterEllison advised a large State Department on the risks and opportunities of using generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, in public service. This included addressing critical legal, technical, and strategic risks to provide a holistic approach to AI-related challenges and opportunities. The advice encompassed the establishment of AI policies and related documents, development of a responsible AI use strategy, creation of cohesive AI governance policies, and preparation of a Risk Impact Assessment to methodically consider critical risks and facilitate systematic documentation. 

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Shane Evans  

Chelsea Gordon 

Sam Burrett

Conducted a comprehensive data discovery, mapping, and governance review across multiple business units, including community support, retirement living, and clinical care using a bespoke AI platform. The review encompassed both digital and physical records, mapping operational processes and a complex technology environment. Delivered detailed data maps, identified key operational processes, assessed technology integration opportunities, and provided tailored recommendations to uplift data governance practices, improve data quality, and enhance security and accessibility across the organisation. 

Contact: Shannon Sedgwick

Provided Microsoft Corp with intellectual property counsel and guidance in relation to its presence and product offering in Australia, including in connection with its Artificial Intelligence offerings.

Contact: Zeina Milicevic

Acted in a regulatory dispute involving machine learning algorithmic pricing practices for home insurance renewals in the financial services sector. The matter focused on compliance with existing laws in the absence of dedicated AI legislation and required proving how the algorithm treated customers in practice. This raised challenges not typically seen in non-AI cases, including the need for specialised analytical tools to establish the impact and effect of AI-driven decisions. The experience gained provides valuable insight for future cases involving AI adoption and regulatory litigation.

Contact: Michael Hershan

Advised on an IP dispute involving a bespoke AI tool developed within a consumer goods business. The matter required collaboration across legal, technical, and employment teams to address key risks including copyright subsistence and ownership of AI-generated software created by employees. Our multidisciplinary approach clarified legal obligations, reduced uncertainty, and protected client interests in a fast-evolving AI environment.

Contact: John Fairbairn