Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] By the end of 2026, more than 1,000 legal claims for harm caused by AI agents will be filed against enterprises due to insufficient guardrails and inadequate oversight. ISACA
• [New] The Trump administration's pending list of onerous state AI laws could set up a federal crackdown on state regulation and reshape who writes the rules for AI. Mimir's Well
• [New] Legal experts and national security analysts are increasingly warning that AI-generated deepfakes could become one of the most destabilizing forces in modern politics, raising urgent questions about election integrity, free speech protections, and the limits of U.S. law. USA Herald - The People's Voice
• [New] The gaps in legal accountability, uneven investments in workforce development, and emerging risks of exclusion underscore the need for continued vigilance, cooperation, and learning. Euronews
• [New] The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which predates the GBF, aligns closely with its targets and adds EU-specific requirements including legally binding nature restoration targets (the Nature Restoration Law adopted in 2024). Gray Group International
• [New] Industry innovation is ongoing, particularly in artificial intelligence, biometrics, and authentication, but warned that fragmented state-level regulation could complicate progress. Mondaq
• [New] By 2027-2028, AI compliance will move from a legal concern to a core software delivery requirement. Keyhole Software
• [New] If 2025 marked the year AI regulation became operational, 2026 could be when autonomy, sovereignty, and sustainability take center stage. hub
• [New] The UK government is exploring new regulations that could require labeling of AI-generated content, alongside broader efforts to address copyright, consent, and compensation for creators. MarketingProfs
• [New] Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service need new tools to investigate national security threats and organized crime because existing laws have not kept pace with changes in technology and court rulings. CityNews Toronto
• [New] Once that tracking capability is mandatory, Canada's security services would be able to make a legal request to access that software in order to investigate criminals and threats to national security. CBC
• [New] California's law applies to all textile articles containing regulated PFAS or total organic fluorine above 100 ppm (dropping to 50 ppm by 2027). National Law Review
• [New] SB 2710, opposed by AKC, establishes comprehensive regulations and penalties for commercial dog breeders, creates an animal abuser registry, criminalizes animal hoarding, and increases penalties for animal cruelty in Hawaii. American Kennel Club
• [New] HB 2997 strengthens Arizona's animal cruelty laws by expanding definitions, increasing penalties, and introducing new protections against tethering and inadequate sheltering of dogs, while providing mechanisms for offender restrictions and animal welfare. American Kennel Club
• [New] Ontario plans to introduce legislation banning ticket resellers from charging more than face value to level the playing field for fans. CTVNews
• [New] Data privacy risk is reaching critical mass in 2026 as zombie privacy claims, tougher state laws, and everyday AI use converge to create significant liability for companies. Los Angeles Business Journal
• [New] Legal risks intensify with Gartner forecasting that death by AI claims will exceed 2,000 by the end of 2026 stemming from insufficient guardrails in high-stakes decisions. 1BusinessWorld
• [New] By 2028, half of all content risk roles are expected to migrate from legal and cybersecurity into AI engineering, specifically to address governance gaps. KnowledgeCity
• [New] The White House is putting state-level AI regulation under new scrutiny, and Axios reports that Republican lawmakers in several red states now fear their own AI bills could trigger a federal backlash. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• [New] In 2026, the risk is not whether to use AI, but how to prevent AI from amplifying operational and legal exposures. Meduzzen

Last updated: 24 March 2026