Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
Can AI in contracts replace lawyers? AI is on the march. The number of tasks various AI-powered tools can complete in a fraction of human time is growing every day. In many cases, AI-enabled functions improve safety, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that AI is not infallible. ChatGPT, though […]
The following article appeared in the Daily Maverick on 11 Aug. We’ve been following and writing about cybercrime for some time and this piece provides comprehensive information on the current status of online scams and how to respond. A must-read! Reprinted from the Daily Maverick, by Yeshiel Panchia – 2025-08-11 If you’ve ever received a […]
Tips to avoid being scammed In our hyper-connected world, the internet offers convenience, opportunity and community. However, it also presents ripe ground for cyber fraud. With common online scams becoming more sophisticated by the day, it’s no longer a matter of if you’ll be targeted, but when. From crypto scams to phishing emails and fake […]
If you use AI in your business, you need to carry out a risk assessment Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in day-to-day business operations. Even small organisations use chatbots for customer service (including this website); and facial recognition software is used not only by large tech companies (to unlock your cell phone or laptop) […]
Defending against AI-enhanced surveillance In today’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technology have significantly influenced surveillance, law enforcement and evidence collection. AI-powered tools include facial recognition, predictive analytics and automated licence plate readers, which are increasingly used in criminal and civil cases. However, despite their reputation for accuracy, these technologies are not fool-proof. […]
Why your attorney might use AI to prepare your case The legal profession is often perceived as resistant to change. Traditional values are important to law firms, as we have a duty of care to our clients and trust is essential. However, advancements in technology are bringing about a transformation in how we serve our […]
What happens when you have a problem with an online transaction? E-commerce has been on the rise for a number of years. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the rate of take-up among consumers, as lockdowns made it difficult or impossible to visit physical shops. But e-commerce has been around since 1994 (the first recorded transaction was […]
What are the legal implications? The sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI), along with its application, is increasing almost on a daily basis. The UK has announced the world’s biggest trial of breast cancer screening and diagnosis using AI in place of the second radiologist (mammograms are normally assessed by two human doctors). If successful, this […]
How AI is revolutionising legal disputes Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for years, but most of us only became consciously aware of it with the launch of ChatGPT in November 2023. Since then, the prominence and use of AI have spiralled. Recently we heard about the Chinese-made AI chatbot called DeepSeek, which overnight hit […]
What to do if you are trashed on Tiktok Trashed on Tiktok? Insulted on Instagram? Excoriated on X? Social media platforms allow anyone to publish information with a few taps on a phone screen. While social media has facilitated unfettered freedom of expression, many people have fallen prey to the more nefarious side of these […]
What the AI Safety Summit and the Bletchley Declaration mean for the future of AI Key Points: Generative AI and large language models (LLMs): Development of generative AI and the use of LLMs like ChatGPT have brought AI into the public spotlight AI risks include: Factual error (e.g., “hallucinations”, or made-up sources) Disinformation and manipulation […]
Artificial intelligence complements but does not replace the lawyer’s job We’ve written a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) in recent months. We’re not alone. The internet is awash with articles and blog posts about AI. Some are informed and technically sound; others are purely opinions. Many are both! AI is new, though not as new […]
