The past year has brought dramatic changes to the technology sector. Major companies have announced large-scale layoffs while at the same time making unprecedented investments in artificial intelligence and automation. This combination raises difficult questions. Why are companies cutting tens of thousands of jobs while simultaneously committing billions to new technologies? Part of the answer
International
Commerce Department Solicits Feedback on AI Exports Program
The Commerce Department today published a Request for Information (RFI) inviting the public to submit comments on U.S. artificial intelligence exports. The RFI asks stakeholders to weigh in on aspects of the Department’s new “American AI Exports Program,” an initiative intended to “promot[e] the export of full-stack American AI technology packages.”
The RFI follows from…
Data Centers: Emerging Risks and Insurance Coverage Considerations
In a new post by Covington’s Insurance Recovery Group, we discuss the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing that has made data centers indispensable to modern business operations, and the complex insurance risks and coverage issues emerging alongside this rapid expansion.
California Update: New Employment Laws and Compliance Obligations for 2026
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed several Assembly Bills (AB) and Senate Bills (SB) that expand employee rights and increase workplace compliance obligations for employers. Here is a rundown on the key new laws. Unless otherwise specified, the laws take effect on January 1, 2026.…
EU’s Fifth FDI Annual Report: Five trends in Europe’s screening activities
The figures are fresh off the press: the European Commission published its Fifth Annual Report on the screening of foreign direct investments (“FDI”) into the European Union (“EU”) just a few days ago.[1] Like the previous editions, the Fifth Annual Report offers a statistical overview of the EU FDI framework’s activities in the previous…
EU Adopts 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia
On 23 October 2025, the EU adopted a further sanctions package, its “19th Round”, against Russia in connection with its ongoing war in Ukraine. We summarise the key measures below.
Energy
- LNG Import Ban: The EU will prohibit the purchase, import, or transfer, directly or indirectly, of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) from 25 April
…
China Technology Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide
By Dan Harris
China Technology Licensing in 2025: A Practical Playbook for IP, Compliance, and Enforcement
Why this guide and why now
Licensing to Chinese companies is surging. In the first half of this year, our law firm handled more China licensing agreements than in any prior full year. Buyers in China want technology, brands, data, and know-how…
China Expands Export Control on Rare Earth Minerals and More
On October 9, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced two new decrees (the “New Rules”) significantly expanding and strengthening export controls over the rare earth supply chain: Decree No. 61 primarily targets foreign-made rare earth metals and products, while Decree No. 62 focuses on the control of rare earth-related technology.…
Harnessing the complementary power of AI and Quantum Computing
By Nira Pandya & Ariel Errar
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) continues to command attention as today’s prominent technological asset, revolutionizing key markets and sectors. Simultaneously, discussions of another advanced technology known as quantum computing have gained traction. Because both technologies expand the universe of problems that can be tackled by computers, one might wonder, if we have AI, do we also need…
Italy Adopts Artificial Intelligence Law
By Dan Cooper & Laura Somaini
On September 23, 2025, the Italian law on artificial intelligence (hereinafter, “Italian AI Law”) was signed into law, after receiving final approval by the Italian Senate on September 17, 2025.
The law consists of varied provisions, including general principles and targeted sectoral rules in certain areas not covered by the EU AI Act. The Italian…