Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Dina Blikshteyn was featured in CIOLook Magazine's 2023 Vol. 12, Issue 20 as an AI Leader Shaping Innovation.
Read an excerpt from her feature below:
Step into a tech landscape where innovation reigns supreme, and at the helm stands Dina Blikshteyn, positioned as Partner and AI Practice Co-chair at Haynes and Boone, LLP. Within this dynamic arena, she integrates the intricacies of patent applications, cutting-edge post-grant proceedings and nuanced opinions on infringement and invalidity. Her expertise seamlessly merges these components, shaping the legal framework of innovation. She focuses her practice on AI and patent counseling, and post-grant proceedings in front of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Dina’s prowess extends to a myriad of technological realms—Internet systems, computer graphics, cyber-security, and more. She navigates the complex terrains of wireless communication, smart-grid technologies and financial services with finesse. Leveraging her significant industry experience, she is a seasoned professional adept at patent prosecution and Patent Office Trials.
Let’s delve into Dina’s journey–where every patent application is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of innovation!
Innovating with Purpose
Dina traces her journey from childhood curiosity to Wall Street innovation. “When I was a child, I liked to build things like spaceship models and robots,” she reminisces. In college, her passion for robotics, virtual reality and computer graphics flourished, laying the foundation for her future endeavors.
The transition to Wall Street saw Dina immersed in crafting automated trading systems, colloquially known as ‘black boxes,’ designed to navigate diverse market conditions. Reflecting on those days, she notes, “I spent my years on Wall Street building automated trading systems.”
As a partner in a top one hundred law firm, Dina seized the opportunity to delve into the burgeoning field of AI. “I jumped at the opportunity to work in the AI space since it embodies many things I loved growing up,” she explains. This was a time when AI had yet to become the ubiquitous buzzword it is today, predating the fame–or infamy–of ChatGPT.
Observing the tech landscape evolve, Dina foresaw the inevitable integration of AI into everyday life. “I knew that it would only be a matter of time before we’ll be using AI in our everyday life.” Today, as a legal expert specializing in AI, she navigates the intricate landscape, counseling both established companies and startups. Her role involves safeguarding emerging AI technologies, scrutinizing resources for ethical AI development and mitigating risks within the evolving legal framework. In a world catching up to AI, Dina stands at the forefront, bridging the gap between innovation and regulation.
Strategic Moves
Dina’s childhood dream of becoming a chess grandmaster took an unexpected turn when IBM’s AI, Deep Blue, outplayed global champion Garry Kasparov in just 19 moves. “I spent hours poring over openings and studying the strategies of past grandmasters,” she recalls. This pivotal moment steered her toward a fascination with AI integration. “When there was an opportunity to work with AI in a legal context, I jumped at the chance.”
Dina recognizes the profound impact of AI on daily life. “AI has such an immense impact on every aspect of our everyday life.” Enthusiastic about contributing to global change, she sees AI’s potential to revolutionize sectors like finance, healthcare, automotive, and education. In her journey, Dina’s childhood passion for strategy seamlessly evolved into a commitment to shaping the future through the transformative power of AI.
Forging Ethical AI
At Haynes and Boone, a leading law firm, Dina emphasizes the importance of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative environment for developing ethical AI tools. “It is imperative to maintain these values to develop fair, ethical and unbiased AI tools,” she asserts. Collaborating across generations and backgrounds ensures legal advice reflects a blend of perspectives. Recognizing AI’s reliance on provided information, Dina highlights the strategy to broaden knowledge. “A critical component of our strategy is to increase the breadth of that knowledge and step into the future together.”
Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
In the realm of AI, challenges abound, and Dina, at Haynes and Boone, is at the forefront of navigating these complexities. “Because AI operates as a black box,” she notes, “people only see what goes into AI and the final product it generates, yet lack understanding of how it arrives at its answers.” Biases in data, magnified by AI’s vast training sets, present another hurdle. Dina emphasizes that when AI yields results, the bias can be magnified.
The existing landscape includes AI applications that raise ethical concerns, such as facial recognition and predictive policing. Dina acknowledges that AI that can be perceived as harmful and unethical already exists today. Legal uncertainties compound the challenges. While federal law surrounding AI is unsettled, Dina points out that multiple states are enacting their own, divergent legislation. Despite the AI Executive Order, a concrete legal framework is still in progress.
In this dynamic environment, Haynes and Boone’s role is pivotal. Dina emphasizes, “Our job is to counsel clients on challenges and risks when AI is used irresponsibly and unethically.” The firm’s forward-looking approach considers the specific AI tool and industry sector. “We strive to strike a balance that maximizes our clients’ innovation and revenue while minimizing legal risks within the ever-changing legal framework.” Dina and her team navigate the uncharted territories of AI, ensuring responsible and ethical use amid evolving legal landscapes.
To read the full feature in CIOLook Magazine, click here.
