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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

MACHINE LEARNINGS - First, generative AI was exciting, then it was frightening, now it's a little bit of both—but there's evidence that we're getting beyond the hype. It was a roller coaster year for technology and innovation, but, as Law.com's Stephanie Wilkins writes in this week's Barometer newsletter, the legal industry has come out on the other end wiser for the experience and ready to embrace generative AI in a thoughtful, meaningful way to improve the profession. And we're only just getting started. "Much of the past year's developments were dominated by OpenAI, but now there are a number of competitors who are catching up and are poised to create significant disruption," Wilkins writes. "And with the recent release of Google's long-anticipated Gemini AI model, the game will potentially be turned on its head yet again."

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION? - Companies that use social media influencers to review their products or services felt the heat when the FTC issued revised compliance guidelines for endorsements. But, as Law.com's Chris O'Malley reports, there are now at least 50 more regulators ready to smash that "Dislike" button on companies and their influencers. "I would expect [state attorneys general] to generally take the position that their unfair and deceptive acts and practices laws already prohibit influencers from misrepresenting the reasons they are promoting a product," said Paul Singer, a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren. "Moreover, states are increasingly signaling a renewed focus on fake reviews and testimonials," said Singer, former chief of the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Office of Attorney General.

ON THE RADAR - Ooredoo Group, Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSPC and TASC Towers Holding announced a $2.2 billion partnership Tuesday in a deal guided by a bevy of law firms. Doha, Qatar-based Ooredoo Group was advised by DLA Piper partners Mike Conradi, Ehab Elsonbaty, Ben Forgiel-Jenkins, Michael Hazzard and Duncan Pickering. Mobile Telecommunications, which is based in Kuwait City, was represented by Herbert Smith Freehills; and Norton Rose Fulbright. Shearman & Sterling counseled Digital Infrastructure Assets. Stay up on the latest state and federal litigation, as well as the latest corporate deals, with Law.com Radar.  

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