Exploring the Ethical Implications of AI in Healthcare: A Discussion by Spencer Fane Attorney Bill Hopkins at the EMI Conference

Spencer Fane attorney Bill Hopkins recently spoke at the 25th annual Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law Conference (EMI) in New Orleans, hosted by the American Bar Association Health Law Section. The firm was also a sponsor of the event. Bill’s session, titled “AI and Legal Ethics: Considerations for Health Care Attorneys,” focused on the legal ethics issues that are emerging as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in healthcare. He was joined by Jason Lacey from IMA Financial Group to discuss how generative AI is being used in legal tasks and document preparation, as well as the rules and guidelines that may limit its use. They also examined specific ethics concepts such as technology competence, confidentiality, and supervisory obligations.

The EMI conference covered a range of topics relevant to healthcare law, including DOJ enforcement, emerging therapies and alternative substances, the Physician Self-Referral Law, mental health crisis, and private equity. Attendees had opportunities to network with other professionals in the field and explore New Orleans during their free time. The conference concluded with a scholarship and awards reception.

As Office Managing Partner for the Austin office of Spencer Fane and a member of the DEI Committee, Bill plays an important role in protecting healthcare providers and companies from potential pitfalls in the industry. He serves as an advocate and educator for his clients in areas such as administrative law, regulatory defense, transactional work, compliance, and litigation.