As artificial intelligence reshapes how work is performed, managed and monitored, organisations must move beyond technology adoption to focus on understanding AI. This is done by aiming to sufficiently train workforces to better adapt to these changes, which also has the net effect of optimal AI governance and its responsible use. Venolan unpacks the legal, people and policy considerations employers should be thinking about, from workplace adaptation, upskilling and the ethical use to risk management and workplace culture, offering practical insights for leaders in organisations navigating an AI‑enabled world of work.

 The episode covers:

• Transformation of global work: Employment has shifted towards flexibility with remote cross-border roles becoming common, including digital nomads and diverse remote employment setups involving South Africa and foreign entities.
• Trends and challenges: Some employees prioritise flexibility and international experience, while employers increasingly hire globally to fill critical roles, facing legal complexities in tax, immigration, and compliance.
• Legal principles of extra-territoriality: Venolan unpacks this concept which involves applying national labour laws beyond borders and focuses in on multiple jurisdictions.
• Insights from case law: Venolan covers what the South African courts have to say, and their consideration of whether foreign operations are extensions of South African entities, and which jurisdiction’s laws ought to apply (in light of key legal considerations).  

October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, hosts, Daphney and Owethu, explore the critical intersection of mental health and employment law in South Africa. With 15% of working adults globally affected by mental disorders, the impact on productivity and legal compliance is significant.

The hosts unpack the legal obligations employers face under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Equity Act, and the newly updated Code of Good Practice on Dismissals in South Africa. They also share practical strategies for prevention, support, and accommodation in the workplace.

Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or legal advisor, this episode offers essential insights into managing mental health responsibly and legally. Tune in to learn how to create safer, more supportive work environments while staying compliant with South African labour laws.

Jay Kerr-Wilson, who leads Fasken’s copyright practice, and McGill University student Amy Qi dive into complex questions around authorship, ownership, consent, and the legal lifespan of AI systems. Listen to this exclusive series as they unpack the legal and philosophical challenges shaping the future of copyright in Canada—and what it means for innovators, rights holders, and AI developers alike.

If an AI creates something, who owns it? Can an AI system be considered an author under Canadian law? In this final episode in the series, Kerr-Wilson and Qi unpack the legal complexities of authorship and ownership in Canada, and what it means for AI users, businesses, developers, and rights holders.

Jay Kerr-Wilson, who leads Fasken’s copyright practice, and McGill University student Amy Qi dive into complex questions around authorship, ownership, consent, and the legal lifespan of AI systems. Listen to this exclusive series as they unpack the legal and philosophical challenges shaping the future of copyright in Canada—and what it means for innovators, rights holders, and AI developers alike.

AI-generated deepfakes are raising new legal and ethical questions around consent and defamation. In this second of three episodes, Kerr-Wilson and Qi dive into the copyright implications of synthetic images and video, and how Canadian courts and policymakers are responding to this fast-moving challenge.

In this episode, Venolan introduces key topics that are changing how organisations and employees work today. He will explore the changing workplace landscape both in South Africa and globally (especially how this may eventually impact South Africa).

Venolan will also delve into topics on the challenges of navigating labour laws. Particularly in a rapidly changing environment. He will explore the role of artificial intelligence on the workplace (its benefits and legal risks) and some of the new forms of work emerging.

This episode is perfect for business leaders, legal professionals, or anyone interested in the future of work. Tune in to gain insights and strategies for adapting to these changes.

Jay Kerr-Wilson, who leads Fasken’s copyright practice, and McGill University student Amy Qi dive into complex questions around authorship, ownership, consent, and the legal lifespan of AI systems.

Listen to this exclusive series as they unpack the legal and philosophical challenges shaping the future of copyright in Canada—and what it means for innovators, rights holders, and AI developers alike.

Can AI legally learn from copyrighted works? What rights do creators retain when their work trains large language models?  In this first episode, Kerr-Wilson and Qi explore how Canadian copyright laws applies to the data used to train large language models, and what it means for creators, platforms, and policymakers.

Visit Fasken’s Canada-Trump Administration 2.0 page for more insights.

Visit Fasken’s Canada-Trump Administration 2.0 page for more insights on this topic.

Visit Fasken's Canada-Trump Administration 2.0 page for in-depth insight and analysis.

Visit Fasken's Canada-Trump Administration 2.0 page for in-depth insight and analysis.

One year after the amendments to the Charter came into force, Antoine and Iara report on the new provisions applicable as of June 1, 2023. They present the highlights of Bill 96 and discuss the changes it implies for companies in Quebec.

They discuss membership contracts and their exceptions, the consumer protection law as well as the legal advertising law, and they clarify everything that “administration” entails within the meaning of the Charter.

As Ontario – and every other jurisdiction – tackles the task of understanding the lessons learned over the past two and one half years and the appropriate balance between continuity, innovation and change in our health care system, there are few in this country better positioned than Christine Elliott to help those in the health care, life sciences and technology sectors better understand the opportunities and potential pitfalls. In this Q & A, among other matters, ​Christine addresses her new position and how she plans to draw on her past experiences to help clients adapt to and be successful in Ontario’s evolving health care system.”

In conversation, they discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its fallout for the world. They also look further into the geopolitical, diplomatic, humanitarian, economic and commercial aspects of this conflict.

This event was held mainly in English, with a question period in English, French or Russian.

For more information, we invite you to consult our Resource Center and our Annotated Charter of the French Language as amended by the Bill; this will help you identify the changes and the various effective dates. Take our test now and get an idea of your company’s compliance with the changes.

South African courts have followed suit by ruling that there is an acceptable alternative way of commissioning affidavits from the norm, and this is virtual commissioning. The team unpack the rules that govern the commissioning of affidavits, they look at recent judgments on virtual commissioning of affidavits, and whether this will be beneficial or not, and the risks and pitfalls.

Section 22 of POPI, deals with a responsible parties obligation to notify data subjects of security compromises and may also result in civil action to be taken against the responsible party. An example of non-compliance with this section may include instances where an unauthorised person accesses or acquires the personal information of a data subject and the responsible party fails to notify the data subject and Information Regulator. Emma and Andricia discuss this specific section of POPIA in this episode of Fasken Perspectives.

This includes from chatbots that attend to general queries; systems that train or coach individuals on best sales/marketing techniques; or biometric technology, automation of administratively repetitive tasks; cyber security or fraud detection; or robotic process automation in the healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics industries. These are already part of the changes employers are implementing as workplaces move further forward into the 4th Industrial Revolution.