The world of regulations is notoriously tricky, especially in fields like healthcare and finance where rules are constantly evolving. This complexity often pushes organizations to rely on specialized law firms for navigating compliance hurdles. Today, the challenge has intensified exponentially with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Governments globally are scrambling to define how this powerful technology should be developed and used, resulting in a deluge of new laws and regulations that companies simply can’t keep up with.
This surge isn’t just noise; it signifies a fundamental shift in how we understand AI within our legal frameworks. Stanford University’s Human Centered AI (HAI) group observed a near-doubling of AI mentions in legislative proceedings from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the increasing global focus on regulating this technology. Yet, while numerous discussions and proposed regulations exist, the United States lacks comprehensive federal legislation specifically governing AI development or use.
Instead, individual states are stepping into this regulatory vacuum. By 2025, nearly half of US states had introduced their own AI-related bills, creating a patchwork of often overlapping and sometimes conflicting rules. This decentralized approach leaves organizations struggling to decipher the maze of requirements and ensure full compliance. In healthcare, the situation is particularly acute. A Manatt report revealed that as of October 2023, over 250 AI-related bills have been introduced in 47 states, with nearly two-thirds becoming law. This abundance of state-specific regulations further complicates an already challenging landscape.
Facing this unprecedented complexity, law firms like DLA Piper are leveraging AI to help clients navigate the treacherous terrain of compliance. In their white paper, “SAGE: A Systematic Approach to Data-Driven AI Governance,” DLA Piper outlines a novel framework designed to tame the “overabundance” of AI requirements. SAGE combines human expertise with sophisticated algorithms to break down complex legislation into its fundamental components, identifying potential overlaps and conflicts between regulations.
Beyond this analytical approach, DLA Piper offers another cutting-edge service: “proactive compliance as a service” (PCaaS). This platform utilizes machine learning and proprietary small language models – trained by domain-specific lawyers – to analyze client data, policies, and industry-specific needs. By parsing unstructured information like documents and communications, PCaaS proactively flags potential compliance risks that might otherwise slip through the cracks. This proactive strategy is invaluable as reactive investigations often result in hefty fines and legal settlements. In healthcare, where patient privacy is paramount, PCaaS can help prevent data breaches and safeguard sensitive health information before issues escalate.
“The real value here,” explains Dr. Danny Tobey, M.D., J.D., partner and head of DLA Piper’s AI & Data Analytics practice, “is to equip organizations to navigate this new, complex ecosystem effectively.” He emphasizes that PCaaS remains adaptable to diverse risk domains, while SAGE focuses on building robust AI governance programs and tackling the challenges posed by inconsistent regulations.
This burgeoning field is attracting fierce competition from players like Harvey, an AI-powered legal tool designed to streamline workflows and due diligence for existing legal teams. Traditional accounting firms such as BakerTilly are also entering the fray, offering specialized AI consulting services alongside their risk advisory practices. Even larger consulting firms like EY have dedicated divisions focused on building trust in AI and helping organizations unlock its potential responsibly.
Despite this growing ecosystem of solutions, the regulatory landscape surrounding AI is evolving at an astounding pace. The stakes are high: a recent HIPAA Journal study revealed a concerning upward trend in data breaches within healthcare over the past decade. Simultaneously, healthcare ransomware attacks surged by 30% in 2025 alone, underscoring the vulnerability of these systems to cyber threats.
Investing in robust AI compliance strategies is crucial for organizations across all sectors. By ensuring internal processes are airtight, companies can not only protect themselves from regulatory penalties but also safeguard sensitive data and ultimately provide a higher level of service and security for their customers and patients. The future hinges on striking the right balance between innovation and responsible governance in this rapidly changing technological landscape.
