The CLA Declaration on Artificial Intelligence provides a useful intellectual framework for the principled -- and, very importantly, risk-managed -- integration of artificial intelligence into law firms, corporate law departments, and government legal agencies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global landscape, offering transformative possibilities while posing significant challenges. Recognizing its dual potential, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) has issued a comprehensive Declaration on AI, emphasizing ethical governance, human rights, and sustainability. This statement, released on April 9, 2025, outlines seven guiding principles to ensure AI's responsible development and deployment.
The Seven Guiding Principles
The CLA's Declaration highlights seven core principles that must govern AI systems and services:
- Primacy and Sanctity of Human Life
AI must prioritize human safety and dignity. Systems should never harm individuals or allow harm through inaction. Furthermore, AI must remain under human control to safeguard accountability and ethical decision-making. - Respect for Ethical Principles and Human Rights
AI systems should enhance human rights while protecting individual freedoms, privacy, and dignity. Equity and inclusion are central to this principle, ensuring fairness across all societal segments without discrimination. Transparency and accountability mechanisms are essential for maintaining trust in AI technologies. - Adherence to International Privacy and Data Governance Standards
Robust data protection measures are required to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches. Informed consent for data collection is vital, alongside strict adherence to data minimization principles—collecting only what is necessary while ensuring accuracy. - Compliance with International Security and Safety Standards
Security-by-design approaches must be embedded at every stage of AI development to mitigate risks. Risk assessments and emergency protocols are critical for addressing potential harms promptly, ensuring system integrity and rapid remediation during accidents or misuse. - Promotion of Innovation and Sustainability
AI systems should align with sustainable development goals, emphasizing environmental stewardship and resource efficiency. Open innovation is encouraged through knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, fostering accessibility and adaptability in governance structures. - Advancing International Collaboration and Governance
The Declaration calls for establishing global standards that respect cultural diversity while promoting universal ethical principles. Cross-border cooperation in research, regulation, and knowledge exchange is essential for fostering mutual assistance and balanced perspectives. - Respect for the Environment
AI systems must minimize environmental impact during deployment, promoting eco-friendly practices in their design and operation.
A Call for Ethical Leadership
The CLA underscores the importance of legal professionals in upholding these principles. Lawyers are uniquely positioned to ensure that AI systems respect human rights, promote justice, and operate within ethical frameworks. By advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness, legal practitioners can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI governance. The CLA's Declaration on AI serves as a blueprint for responsible AI governance in an era of rapid technological advancement. By committing to these seven principles, stakeholders can harness AI's transformative power while safeguarding humanity's values and well-being.
About the Commonwealth Lawyers Association
The CLA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law across Commonwealth nations. It aims to maintain an independent legal profession with high ethical standards to serve the people effectively.
Norman Clark
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How well is your law firm or legal department documenting the policies, procedures, and protocols that you need to assure that AI tools and their risks are well-managed? Is your organization really ready for AI, or do you need first to improve your current internal operations and processes to eliminate the causes of inefficiencies, errors, and unprofitable rework?
Remember: poorly managed AI can actually make things worse.
Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how we can help your firm to manage the risks and grasp the opportunities that AI offers.
