Third-year Drake Law student Nicole Frazier wrote a paper in Professor Blodgett-Ford’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Advanced Writing class exploring the emerging field of autonomous surgical robotics and their potential use in military combat. She wrote a paper examining how these robots might support trauma care on the battlefield, the privacy and cybersecurity concerns if a robot were captured, and the implications of Department of Defense procurement regulations. In addition to this work, Nicole also had the opportunity to speak at the International Intellectual Property Law Association (IIPLA) Conference this fall, where she engaged and connected with local attorneys in the field. We asked Nicole some questions about her experiences:
What was your paper about?:
As part of Professor Blodgett-Ford’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Advanced Writing Class, I wrote a paper entitled “DFARS Adequate Security Requirements for Autonomous Surgical Robots in Combat.” In this paper, I explored the idea of autonomous surgical robots, robots that would be capable of carrying out surgical tasks without direct human intervention (an area already being explored). The paper then discussed a hypothetical situation where the robots could be helpful to the Department of Defense in military combat, such as treating a trauma-induced, time-sensitive orthopedic injury, and how this invention could help in providing timely care and protecting medical personnel. The paper considered a hypothetical scenario in which a robot was captured during military combat and how this capture may affect privacy and cybersecurity. Lastly, the heart of the paper explored how current legal requirements for government procurement would be important considerations, focusing on media encryption/sanitization and remote data wiping, as outlined in the current regulations with a primary focus on Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 (b), and finishing by proposing future recommendations for compliance.
What did you learn from writing a paper like this?:
I learned the importance of considering creative solutions for problem-solving. One legal issue may require many different considerations. This research taught me about the evolving field of surgical robotics, including current uses and limitations. I also learned about the extensive legal regulations and the many requirements for contractors and sub-contractors who want to partner with the Department of Defense. It was really interesting to learn how the fields of law are both constant and dynamic in that the basic goal and framework of privacy and cybersecurity remain the same, while the methods often require adaptations to address an ever-changing world. Lastly, I learned how law, science, and business are interconnected.
Has this project influenced your future plans for after law school?
Yes; I would say this project allowed me to learn about a different area of law—privacy and cybersecurity. This writing experience has encouraged me to learn more about this area of law so that I can provide even more robust and comprehensive representation for future clients. Similar to IP and AI, privacy and cybersecurity considerations are vital in the practice of law.
Why is it important for law students/lawyers to learn about IP and/or AI?
It’s super important for current and future law students and lawyers to learn about IP and AI because they affect almost every practice area, both civil and criminal law. Learning about IP can help law students and lawyers assist their clients, whether it’s counseling a startup on infringement, helping athletes protect their names, prosecuting digital theft, or helping a pharmaceutical company gain a patent for a new drug. Similarly, AI is applicable to every area of law, whether it’s the growing area of e-discovery in a criminal case, counseling a farmer on digital agriculture, or creating a standard contract for clients. Knowing how to navigate AI ethically and responsibly is imperative.
Getting to speak at the IIPLA Conference is such a great achievement for a student – what advice would you give other law students who want to explore opportunities like these?
I would say the most important thing is to be open to new possibilities and new ways of thinking. It’s also equally important to practice self-advocacy and advocacy for others. Speaking at the IIPLA Conference was such an honor because it gave me the opportunity to learn about a different area of law, network with amazing local attorneys, and discuss a topic that has far-reaching implications.