Tech & Sourcing @ Morgan Lewis

As we look ahead to 2025, it's clear that the next few years will bring about groundbreaking shifts across industries, with technologies such as AI, quantum computing, data centers, robotics, and autonomous vehicles leading the charge. These innovations are far more than buzzwords—they have the potential to redefine how we live, work, and interact. In this article, we dive into the top technologies set to make a significant impact in 2025 and explore why they’re worth watching closely.

A recent judgment from the Dubai Court of First Instance determined that part of an employee’s remuneration can be paid in cryptocurrency, but notably does not change the basic principle that cryptocurrencies cannot be the sole form of remuneration in an employee’s salary package.

The leaders of Morgan Lewis’s aerospace and defense industry team will be hosting Space and Satellite Night in our Houston office on September 26, featuring a discussion on space commercialization developments followed by a reception. Join counsel and executives from leading aerospace and defense companies, together with Morgan Lewis lawyers representing active industry participants in a range of issues, to explore trends, opportunities, and legal, regulatory, and commercial challenges impacting the industry.

Given the sharp rise in usefulness of and attention to generative AI–powered applications, the US Copyright Office issued a notice of inquiry and request for comments in order to conduct a deep dive on how this technology could impact fundamental aspects of copyright law, including some issues we have recently discussed, such as potential infringement based on model training content and copyright protection of generative AI outputs.

OpenAI has introduced its artificial intelligence (AI) language model, ChatGPT, to the world. ChatGPT interacts with users in a conversational manner to create human-like text in response to prompts. The use cases of this potentially disruptive technology appear to be limitless as it has the ability to generate text on a wide variety of topics, including contract drafting. Naturally, lawyers and nonlawyers alike are considering whether ChatGPT is useful as a contract drafting tool.

At the end of November, OpenAI released an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot tool called ChatGPT, which has been called an “iPhone moment in AI” due to its potential to disrupt the technology industry. Although chatbots are a relatively common tool in today’s world, ChatGPT differentiates itself through its ability to instantaneously explain complex concepts in simple terms and to generate creative content from scratch, among other things.

The internet is buzzing with content from market and technology analysts explaining the evolution of the internet from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0, as well as providing insights into how Web 3.0 may impact the collection, control, and use of data.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges, requiring companies to adapt quickly to the way their personnel work, changes in their business offerings, and how they interact with their customers and suppliers. With some time to adjust to the “new normal” of the pandemic (and hopefully soon, the post-pandemic), many companies are looking ahead—with a potential economic downturn being top of mind.

As we all try to keep up with the Metaverse and as the healthcare system wilts under a data deluge, the convergence of realities in a shared online space is not merely a chance for practitioners and patients to find each other and interact in new ways, it’s also a rare opportunity to help a new paradigm sprout. The answers to detangling some sticky wickets of Health 2.0, like ensuring efficient, secure communications and exchanges between participants, may share a common thread: clear out (not just debug) the cobwebs and flip the crypt.

As part of our Spotlight series, Dion Bregman (who wears many hats at Morgan Lewis, such as deputy leader of the firm’s intellectual property practice, leader of the firm’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) team, managing partner of the firm's Silicon Valley office, and co-leader of the firm’s technology industry team) shares some of his meta thoughts. As a follow up to Dion’s recent participation in a panel discussion, An Introduction to the Metaverse, Dion provides insight into some important developments, issues, and opportunities, as we all continue to focus on Keeping Up with the Metaverse.