IoT, Automation, AI-driven Technologies & Connected Systems
“Aligning Emerging Technologies with Clear Legal Frameworks”
As Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and connected systems become embedded into everyday operations, the legal questions they raise become more complex. Organisations must manage issues such as accountability for automated decisions, data governance across devices, IP rights in AI-generated outputs and regulatory compliance for smart, connected environments.
We support clients across the lifecycle of AI and automation initiatives, from proof-of-concept and pilots, to full-scale deployment, commercialisation and cross-border roll-out. Our work spans industrial automation, smart-city applications, smart devices, connected platforms and data-driven business models.
Our services cover AI and algorithm development arrangements, data licensing, IoT device and sensor deployments, smart-device rental models, platform terms of use, edge-computing infrastructure and related commercial contracts. We help clients leverage emerging technologies while clearly allocating risk, ownership and responsibility.
Our Approach
Our approach blends IP strength, technology fluency and practical risk awareness, allowing us to draft and negotiate agreements that:
- Define ownership of algorithms, models, training datasets and AI-generated outputs
- Address liability for autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions and system failures
- Govern data collection, sharing, processing and retention across connected devices
- Set measurable performance metrics for automated and AI-driven systems
- Incorporate cybersecurity, safety, audit and monitoring obligations
- Ensure compliance with PDPA, telecommunications, consumer protection and sectoral rules
- Support scalable commercialisation of AI, IoT and automation solutions (B2G, B2B and platform models)
We assist technology providers, manufacturers, local authorities, research institutions and enterprises in structuring AI and connected-technology projects that are innovative, defensible and market-ready.
Our Strengths & Capabilities
Drawing from extensive experience in technology transactions, smart solutions for local authorities, digitalisation programmes and emerging-tech advisory, our team provides:
1. Full Legal Documentation for AI, IoT & Automation Projects
We prepare and negotiate the full range of agreements required to implement and scale connected systems, including:
- AI / ML development and deployment agreements
- Data licensing, data sharing and anonymisation agreements
- IoT device supply, rental and managed-service agreements
- Smart device and sensor network roll-out contracts
- Platform Terms of Use and user-facing policies
- Edge-computing, gateway and connectivity services agreements
- Systems integration, consultancy and optimisation contracts
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for automated / AI-driven environments
- Collaboration agreements for pilots, proof-of-concept and technology adoption programmes
2. IP, Data & Algorithm Governance
We help structure ownership and control over the core “intangible assets” in AI and IoT ecosystems:
- Allocation of rights over source code, models, training data and derived datasets
- IP terms for co-developed or jointly-trained AI models
- Licensing structures for algorithm-based services and platforms
- Protection of trade secrets (processing logic, model architectures, workflows)
- Data governance (lawful basis for collection, use, profiling and analytics)
3. Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
Our advice is grounded in an understanding of:
- PDPA 2010 & PDPA (Amendment) Act 2024 and data governance expectations
- Communications and multimedia, device connectivity and network-related regulations
- Product and device-related compliance for smart hardware and embedded systems
- Risk allocation for automated recommendations, alerts and decision-support tools
We work with clients to embed auditability, transparency and accountability standards into contract structures and operating models.
4. Sector-Specific Experience
We bring experience across:
- Local authorities and smart-city style deployments
- Manufacturing and industrial automation
- Licensing systems and regulatory technologies (RegTech)
- Research and technology adoption programmes
- Telecommunications and digital infrastructure environments
This enables us to design legal frameworks that reflect the realities of deploying AI, automation and IoT in live operational settings.
Our Experience
Below are highlights of our work in IoT, automation, AI-driven technologies and connected systems:
- AI & Emerging Technology Advisory – Our lawyer has provided advisory services to local and foreign clients on matters relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI), including commercial structuring, contractual allocation of risk, IP ownership and data-related considerations for emerging technology solutions.
- Smart Devices & Local Authority Systems – Our lawyer advised on smart device rental agreements and the commercialisation of a local authority licensing system using smart devices, including preparing template Licensing & Services Agreements and user-facing terms of use.
- Ubiquitous ID & IoT Infrastructure – Our lawyer advised on licensing arrangement with TRON Forum Japan to establish and operate the Ubiquitous ID Center in Malaysia, involving IoT-style identification frameworks, device interoperability and data governance obligations.
- Automation & Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Systems – Our lawyer advised on Technology Adoption Intervention Programme involving the deployment of an Overall Equipment Effectiveness system for manufacturers, including drafting the relevant Services Agreement to structure technology adoption, performance and reporting frameworks.
Why Clients Choose Us
- Deep Understanding of Emerging Tech
We follow developments in AI, automation, IoT and connected systems closely, allowing us to translate technical concepts into clear, workable legal terms.
- Integrated IP, Data & Regulatory Perspective
We align IP ownership, data governance and regulatory compliance in a single framework, rather than treating them as separate silos. - Real-World, Deployment-Focused Drafting
We consider how devices, platforms and algorithms operate in practice, including edge cases, failovers and human override; and reflect that in contracts. - Experience with Public-Sector & Enterprise Use Cases
We have advised on projects involving local authorities, government-linked entities, manufacturers and technology providers, giving us visibility across all sides of the value chain. - Future-Oriented yet Pragmatic
Our focus is on enabling innovation while managing risk, ensuring agreements are robust today but flexible enough to adapt to evolving technologies and regulatory expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key issues include:
- Accountability for automated or AI-assisted decisions
- Bias, fairness and explainability of algorithms
- IP ownership in AI-generated content or models
- Data provenance and lawful use of training data
- Transparency and audit requirements for regulators or customers
Contracts and policies must address these explicitly.
IP ownership depends on how the arrangement is structured. Questions to address include:
- Does the client own outputs generated using the system?
- Does the vendor retain rights in underlying models and tools?
- Are improvements or retrained models jointly owned or vendor-owned?
Clear contractual wording is essential to avoid later disputes, especially where outputs have commercial value.
Common risks include:
- Security vulnerabilities that expose networks or data
- Device malfunction leading to physical or economic harm
- Unauthorised data collection or processing via sensors
- Lack of clarity on responsibility between hardware supplier, platform provider and customer
These should be managed through robust technical requirements, SLAs, security obligations and liability frameworks.
Liability is usually shared among multiple parties: solution providers, integrators, customers and sometimes third-party data or infrastructure providers. Contracts should address:
- Fault allocation in case of errors or failures
- Caps on liability and specific indemnities
- Exclusions and limitations for indirect or consequential losses
- Insurance and risk-mitigation mechanisms
While there may not yet be a single “AI Act” locally, AI and connected systems are impacted by:
- Data protection laws (e.g. PDPA)
- Sectoral regulations (financial services, healthcare, telecoms, etc.)
- Consumer protection and product liability rules
- Cybersecurity and network-related obligations
We help map these frameworks to your specific use case and reflect them in contracts and governance structures.
Speak to us to structure the right legal framework for your AI, IoT, automation or connected-systems project.