Adams & Adams launches Africa’s first dedicated Artificial Intelligence Legal Service

The firm has launched the digital platform and advisory service to help companies assess and manage the legal and governance challenges posed by AI.

Adams & Adams, one of Africa’s most recognised firms in intellectual property and emerging technology law, has unveiled the SMARTAI IP Portal, a pioneering platform that helps businesses understand, quantify and address the legal and governance risks created by rapid AI adoption. Designed at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping markets at extraordinary speed, the platform gives organisations a structured way to assess their exposure, strengthen internal policies and safeguard the value of their innovations.

The SMARTAI IP Portal combines a proprietary readiness assessment with tailored legal and advisory support, enabling companies to identify weaknesses in their AI governance before they become costly liabilities. Through a guided scorecard, businesses can evaluate how prepared they are across critical areas such as IP protection, compliance, data use and accountability. Insights from this assessment feed directly into expert-led services that help organisations close gaps, prioritise high-risk issues and build stronger frameworks for responsible AI use. The portal also offers continuous learning through practical resources and a bi-monthly newsletter that keeps executives informed of sector trends, regulatory developments and real-world risks emerging across Africa’s digital economy.

Darren Olivier, Lead Partner in the firm’s AI IP advisory team, says the launch reflects a growing urgency among clients: “As artificial intelligence accelerates across every industry, companies are exposed to new forms of IP vulnerability and governance pressure. The SMARTAI IP Portal gives them a practical foundation to measure their readiness and take informed, strategic action.” Lita Miti-Qamata, also a Partner in the group, reinforces that point, noting that the platform was created to help African organisations protect their competitive edge. “Our goal is to ensure businesses can innovate confidently, backed by legal structures that evolve as fast as the technology itself,” she says.

The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment. Without clear policies and legal oversight, companies risk losing control of proprietary assets, mismanaging AI-generated content or facing infringement claims and reputational damage. By offering a single destination for assessment, education and strategic guidance, the SMARTAI IP Portal equips organisations to navigate these challenges proactively rather than reactively.

Adams & Adams invites businesses to explore the platform, benchmark their AI readiness and engage with the firm’s specialists for strategic discussions on future-proofing their governance. Additional information is available at smartaiip.adams.africa, where organisations can access the readiness test, subscribe to insights and connect directly with the advisory team.

As a firm with a longstanding reputation for excellence in intellectual property protection across the continent, Adams & Adams continues to expand its services to meet the evolving demands of Africa’s technology landscape, helping clients strengthen compliance, safeguard innovation and unlock the full potential of AI in their operations.