Norton Rose Fulbright has launched a microcert in disruptive technologies at its annual tech business & law conference in Silicon Valley, with one major general counsel client giving it the thumbs up as essential preparation for transformation.

“Thoughtfully curated”

The NRF program aims to introduce participants to key technologies shaping business as well as the legal, regulatory and risk issues related to their deployment and can be accessed through the NRF Institute, the firm’s knowledge site. Nicholas Fernandez, Citibank general counsel, Asia Pacific legal - intellectual property, operations & technology law group, commented “I highly recommend this MicroCert to any organisation that believes technologies such as AI, DLT and IoT are part of our inalienable future and that appreciates the enormous pressures to upskill employees for the competitive edge today. Norton Rose Fulbright’s thoughtfully curated ‎compendium of core disruptive technology modules are essential for lawyers looking to prepare themselves in these transformative times.” The program, which is available at no cost to clients and key contacts of the firm, is designed to equip participants with practical disruptive technology legal skills. Peter Martyr, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global chief executive, said “The MicroCert will help our clients and other course participants navigate the risks of digital disruption by providing greater clarity on the opportunities these technologes present.”

Disruptive tech space

To obtain a MicroCert in Disruptive Technologies, participants must complete five core modules and five elective modules. The five core modules cover: artificial intelligence (AI); blockchain /distributed ledger technology (DLT); autonomous vehicles; data; and the Internet of Things (IoT). The 13 available elective modules delve into industry-specific topics including cryptocurrencies, InfraTech, payments, and digital health. Each module consists of a 30-minute on-demand webinar led by the firm’s lawyers from across all regions, followed by a multiple choice assessment. Nick Abrahams, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global head of technology and innovation and producer of the microCert program, commented “Disruptive technologies are changing the world and the way it works. Given the pace of change in this space, it can be challenging to stay on top of the latest developments. We have built a wealth of global knowhow in the disruptive tech space and want to share this with broader industries, through knowledge transfer, to improve productivity and continue to drive innovation.”