How the regulation of AI and cybersecurity is impacting law firms

"Technological regulation is no longer a brake on innovation, but the framework that allows it to be scaled in a safe and sustainable way". With these words, ECIJA summarises how they see the current situation of the regulations in this area and how they will end up transforming not only the business of European companies but also the advice that law firms provide them with.

The year 2026 will mark the definitive consolidation of the relationship between technology, regulation and business. After a period of accelerated adoption - especially in artificial intelligence, data management and automation - the market is entering a stage in which compliance will no longer be enough: it will be necessary to demonstrate control, traceability and accountability.

This context profoundly transforms the role of the lawyer. Legal advice will no longer be reactive or merely interpretative, but will become a structural function, aimed at accompanying the business and integrating technology, regulation and corporate strategy.

What are the ten legal trends in technology that will mark 2026? 

A report by ECIJA summarises them:

Artificial intelligence

In 2026, the full implementation of the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence will place advice as a priority for companies and administrations. The intensive use of predictive systems, decision algorithms and generative AI in commercial, employment, financial and creative fields will increase exposure to legal, reputational and sanctioning risks.

The focus of advice will shift towards algorithmic auditing, human oversight, traceability, systems lifecycle management and liability for automated decisions, biases or security breaches. Companies will demand lawyers who can translate a complex regulatory framework into strategies that do not block business.

Simplification

Delays in the implementation of the AI Regulation by member states will lead the European Commission to introduce simplification measures and practical adjustments in 2026. The aim will be to reduce compliance costs, especially for SMEs, without undermining the principles of security and trust.

Among the changes envisaged are the easing of documentary requirements, the adaptation of the timetable of obligations for high-risk systems to the availability of standards, the centralisation of the supervision of certain models in the European IA Office and greater consistency with data protection regulations, in particular with regard to bias.

Content creation

August 2026 will mark a turning point for content creation and digital advertising. With the full enforceability of the AI Regulation, companies will need to ensure traceability, human oversight and verifiable documentation in the generative systems used to produce text, images, videos or campaigns.

In an environment where AI is established as a central creative tool, proving the origin of content, respect for copyright and absence of deceptive practices will be mandatory. Regulatory compliance will become a strategic element of the business model.

Data protection

Full implementation of the Data Act will transform the management of data generated by connected products, digital services and cloud environments by 2026. Companies will have to facilitate access and portability of certain data, allow switching and avoid contractual clauses that limit sharing.

These obligations will coexist with the requirements of the GDPR, which will make it necessary to correctly identify personal data, implement effective anonymisation or pseudonymisation techniques and establish adequate safeguards in access, reuse and sharing processes.

Cybersecurity

The transposition of the NIS2 Directive through the new Cybersecurity Coordination and Governance Act will significantly expand the number of entities obliged to comply with strict requirements.

Cybersecurity will no longer be a technical issue but will become a central element of corporate governance. This will be accompanied by alignment with the Cyber Resilience Act, which incorporates security as an essential requirement in the design and marketing of digital products, with new reporting, vulnerability management and liability obligations.

Digital identity

The entry into force of eIDAS2 will consolidate digital identity as one of the pillars of the technological legal ecosystem. The European Digital Identity Wallet will transform the processes of identification, electronic signature, consent management and access to regulated digital services.

Businesses will have to adapt to new obligations in terms of interoperability, security, evidence preservation and sharing of responsibilities between providers, verifiers and users.

Legal transactions

By 2026, legal operations will be consolidated as a strategic function in law firms and in-house counsel. Regulatory complexity, the widespread adoption of AI and the pressure to deliver more predictable services will drive the professionalisation of legal management.

 Legal ops will integrate technology, optimise processes, improve financial planning and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, freeing lawyers from repetitive tasks and reinforcing the strategic value of advice.

Legaltech

AI will cease to be experimental and become a structural component of professional practice. Automation, predictive risk analysis and assisted contract generation will be fully integrated into workflows.

The specialist lawyer will combine technological efficiency with legal and regulatory control, reinforcing traceability in compliance and data governance.

Sensitive data

The processing of biometric, neurodata and health data will remain one of the areas of greatest legal risk. Authorities will maintain a strict approach, requiring strong grounds of legitimacy, reinforced impact assessments and rigorous proportionality analysis.

The development of the European Health Data Space and neurotechnologies without sector-specific regulation will require the most rigorous application of the GDPR and the guidelines of the European Data Protection Supervisor.

Dynamic brands

Synthetic influencers, AI-created avatars and dynamic brands will be consolidated as strategic assets. Legal protection will extend beyond traditional signs to cover traits, styles and behaviours of complex digital identities.

Access the full article published in Expansión here.