15 Jun 2023

The AI Risk Management Framework

In the latest installment of our series on the risks presented by artificial intelligence (AI), we delve into the risk management framework released by the esteemed American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Known as the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), this voluntary framework has been meticulously crafted by NIST in response to the growing adoption of AI.  While AI holds immense potential to deliver significant societal benefits, it also generates various risks, including bias, discrimination, privacy breaches, and security vulnerabilities.  The AI RMF aims to aid organizations in effectively managing these risks, ensuring AI’s responsible and […]

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09 Jun 2023

AI and ESG – Friends or Frenemies

Due to climate change, and the state of the world, companies are under considerable pressure from investors and customers to improve their ESG performance.  While companies and governments work hard to develop and implement ESG principles, there is still much work in this field and many pieces that need to be added to build reliable ESG mechanisms. One of the most significant challenges global businesses face today is setting ESG goals and effectively monitoring and progressing toward them.  The complexity and fragmentation of incoming data sources often result in incomplete analyses, inconsistent reporting, and unmet commitments. This is precisely why […]

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06 Jun 2023

New Block Exemption Regulations and Guidelines on Horizontal Agreements

Starting from July 1, 2023, the newly adopted Horizontal Block Exemption Regulations on Research and Development Agreements (“R&D“) and Specialisation agreements (together “HBERs“) shall take effect in the EU. The essence of HBERs, and the accompanying Horizontal Guidelines (“Guidelines“), is to facilitate the self-assessment of the most common types of horizontal cooperation agreements.  They are also well-known as a safe harbor to undertakings, for as long as the latter comply with the rules set in the HBERs, leading to block exemption of such agreements from the competition rules. The novelties in said pieces of legislation offer a more flexible approach […]

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05 Jun 2023

CEE Legal Matters Guide: Banking & Finance 2023

Gecić Law is delighted to announce its contribution to the renowned CEE Legal Matters Comparative Guides to Central and Eastern Europe series.  This time, our expertise shines in the field of Banking and Finance, marking another milestone in our commitment to providing comprehensive legal insights. Our team, comprising Senior Associate Miloš Petaković and Associate Teodora Ristić, worked on the chapter dedicated to Serbia, shedding light on the legal framework governing the country’s financial services sector.  With a comprehensive analysis of relevant legislation, the chapter offers essential information contributing to a detailed understanding of Serbia’s financial services landscape. The Banking and […]

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30 May 2023

Serbian Public Enterprises to Transform into Joint Stock Companies or Limited Liability Companies

The Government of Serbia has adopted the proposed Act on the Management of Enterprises Owned by the Republic of Serbia, which foresees the transformation of public enterprises into joint-stock or limited liability companies.  Twenty-three public enterprises are thus set to change their legal form.  A complete automated English translation of the Draft Act is available here. In this transition, the equity capital of a public enterprise will be converted into shares or stakes, depending on the legal form.  The change maintains the public enterprise’s legal subjectivity and business identity without liquidation or interruption of legal continuity, retaining its identity in […]

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30 May 2023

Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights

In this second installment of our series focusing on the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and the legislative initiatives in the US to address them, we will be examining the proposed AI Bill of Rights. The transformative impact of AI on our world is evident, from self-driving cars to facial recognition software.  As AI technology gains potency, we must consider its potential implications for human rights. In response, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has released a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights (The Blueprint).  The Blueprint outlines five essential principles for the creation […]

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26 May 2023

AI & Data Protection: Is GDPR Ready for Retirement?

I.  Strengths of the GDPR The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), implemented in 2018, has played a vital role in safeguarding personal data in the era of information and communications technologies (“ICT”).  As AI technologies continue to advance rapidly, questions arise regarding the effectiveness and adaptability of GDPR in addressing the evolving challenges of data protection.  This article examines whether GDPR is ready for retirement or if it requires updates to address AI-related data protection concerns effectively. Namely, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as a methodology used in machine learning to determine which one of several used models has the […]

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24 May 2023

Serbian Government Seeks Strategic Partner for Ambitious Solar Energy Project

The Serbian government announced that it is looking for a strategic partner to develop a minimum of five self-balancing solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 1,000 MWac (or 1,200 MWdc) and a battery storage system with a minimum total installed capacity of 200 MW and the ability to accumulate at least 400 MWh of electric energy.  The full text of the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in English is available here. The strategic partner will design, develop, build, and maintain the project before transferring ownership to the public power utility company (EPS) on […]

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18 May 2023

US Legislative Initiatives to Tackle AI Risks

In a landmark gathering at the White House, some of the most influential CEOs and leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) convened for a crucial discussion on responsible innovation and mitigating AI risks.  The meeting, organized to foster collaboration and cooperation between the government and the private sector, brought together renowned figures from technology giants and AI-focused companies. In the series of articles we present to you, we will deal with the US legislative initiatives behind the above meeting, which concern various risks of using AI. Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous AI Act In recent years, the rapid development of AI […]

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15 May 2023

Branko Gabrić Participates in SEE Data Protection Congress

Last week, Branko Gabrić, our counsel, had the honor of being invited to speak at the South-East European Data Protection Congress in Belgrade.  The congress was held to establish a forum for data protection professionals to facilitate the exchange of ideas, opinions, updates, experiences, and the application of best practices, ultimately boosting the data protection scene in the region. Branko participated in the central panel on the first day of the conference, which focused on “Transparency – Can Organizations Ever be Too Transparent?”.  Alongside him were Boško Vojkić, Director of Data Protection at Ergomed PLC; Stevan Stanojević, founder of PrivacyOneStop; […]

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