Team size: Ten

Spotlight on:Microsoft’s AI-driven approach

Microsoft’s corporate mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. In times of uncertainty, this core mission becomes even more critical, as we support our customers in adopting new technologies, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Quantum Computing, in ways that embody responsibility and compliance. 

As a legal department, we are particularly focused on Microsoft’s AI principles, which provide foundational guidance for the company’s engineering, development, and sales of AI tools and products. This alignment ensures that our legal support is not only reactive but also proactive, anticipating potential challenges and addressing them in a manner that upholds Microsoft’s commitment to ethical practices and technological advancement. 

Our department is also deeply involved in advancing the legal profession’s journey towards adopting Microsoft Copilot and other AI technologies responsibly and compliantly. We have collaborated with law firms and in-house departments, organising workshops, events, and creating materials to facilitate this transition. Our outreach activities are designed to help legal professionals harness the potential of AI, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancements. This proactive engagement has fostered a deeper understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations and built a community of legal professionals well-equipped to navigate the evolving technological landscape. By providing continuous support and resources, we have enabled these professionals to integrate AI into their practices seamlessly, enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness. 

The integration of AI technology, including Microsoft Copilot, into our legal processes has been transformative, particularly through the Modern CELA initiative. This initiative has significantly enhanced our efficiency and compliance by leveraging cutting-edge tools and platforms. By streamlining workflows and automating routine tasks, we have been able to focus on more strategic legal matters, thereby increasing our overall productivity and effectiveness. The Modern CELA initiative has also fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging our team to explore new technologies and methodologies that can further enhance our operations. This commitment to innovation has not only improved our internal processes but has also set a benchmark for other legal departments to follow, demonstrating the tangible benefits of embracing technology in the legal field. 

Our legal department also plays a pivotal role in promoting and ensuring corporate social responsibility. Through the AI Skilling initiative, we are committed to training individuals and communities with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. This initiative underscores our dedication to ethical AI practices and our responsibility to foster an inclusive and equitable digital future. By providing training and resources, we empower people to leverage AI technologies responsibly, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all. This commitment to corporate social responsibility extends beyond our immediate stakeholders, as we actively engage with various communities to promote digital literacy and inclusivity. Our efforts in this area reflect Microsoft’s broader mission to create a positive impact on society through technology, reinforcing our role as a leader in ethical and responsible innovation.