2026 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics National Institute

ABOUT THIS EVENT

The Artificial Intelligence and Robotics National Institute equips legal and business professionals with practical insights on AI, robotics, regulation, liability, governance, and legal innovation, including managing the challenges of powerful AI following global calls for action on AI this past summer and fall. Attendees leave with actionable strategies, valuable connections, and a clear understanding of the technology’s impact on clients and the profession today and in the future.

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In September, a single announcement shocked the world. A researcher working at Anthropic, Jacob Coxon, resigned his job saying the people building AI believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade. “No other human activity poses this level of danger,” he announced. A scientific lead at Anthropic agreed, saying the company currently has no plan to solve the challenge of powerful AI. As noted in the ABA’s press release announcing the Institute, “’The danger of superintelligent AI is the most important story in the world right now,’ said Stephen Wu, chair and founder of the institute.”

A frightened world has responded to Mr. Moxon’s warning, with leaders including the UN Secretary-General, U.S. presidents, technology leaders like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, business leaders, and other political leaders weighing in on whether AI companies should slow down development and on possible legislative and regulatory responses. The cascade of media attention followed announcements of attacks earlier this year caused by AI agents escaping human safeguards, hacking into systems, and covering up their activities, all without human authorization or oversight.

The attacks by AI agents show the power and capability of at agentic AI. Agentic AI is rapidly becoming a workhorse for business operations, and it’s raising unprecedented legal issues. Agentic AI systems don’t just communicate or respond—they act autonomously (like personal assistants) to plan, reason, and execute multiple steps to achieve their goals at breathtaking speed and scale. Such disruption and rapid transformation are the new normal as businesses and lawyers expand their use of AI in all of its forms. So much has changed in the past year, as demonstrated by the news breaking daily about the risks of powerful AI, with challenging legal implications for lawyers and clients in every industry.

At the ABA’s 8th annual AI and Robotics National Institute, attendees will hear the latest insights and strategies from practitioners and thought leaders.

Don't Miss Your Chance To:

• Learn more about the real risks of superintelligent AI, which threats are real and which are hyperbole, the dilemmas faced by clients and nations about slowing down AI development, and the policy and legal responses to superintelligence today and into future decades of ever more powerful AI.
• Delve into must-know topics and how recent news about powerful AI affect them: Agentic AI (beyond the buzzwords); emerging AI technology and laws, regulations, and standards; risk mitigation (watch out for lawsuits, legislation, and regulators) when using AI that shapes or responds to human emotions; legal challenges for mass-market, AI-driven robots; AI vs. ethics, one battle after another; and the future of AI vs. humans, from data protection to data centers to power grids.
• Customize your experience with 2 breakout tracks (three 1-hour sessions):
  • AI in Practice:  How AI and robotics are changing M&A; AI in the courtroom and in chambers; and AI in crisis, as problem and solution (interactive tabletop).
  • Intellectual Property: Copyright and other IP AI litigation risks; deepfakes, content creation, and other legal issues in entertainment; and AI automation of patent, copyright, and trademark applications and enforcement (including demonstrations).
• Hear compelling keynotes and a high-powered roundtable with senior in-house counsel.
• Earn up to 10 CLE credit hours (including ethics), while gaining practical takeaways and building your network in Silicon Valley.
• Save 20% when you register 3 or more attendees; special rates are available for students, academia, government, and in-house counsel.

Exhibitor Sponsorship Opportunities

For more information, please contact Barbara Mitchell, barbara.mitchell@americanbar.org.

To view detailed information about Registration Fees, the Agenda, Sponsors, CLE Information, Travel and Accommodations, and Event Terms & Conditions,  please scroll to the top of the webpage and navigate to the relevant tabs.

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