The workshop “Supply Contracts for Artificial Intelligence Systems and Models”, organised by Optime – Paradigma and held on 16 April 2025, offered an intensive training session focused on the legal and contractual implications of procuring AI-based solutions. Over the course of the half-day session, the workshop provided a practical and structured analysis of the AI supply landscape, key negotiation issues and the main legal risks, with particular attention to data protection, cybersecurity, liability management and intellectual property safeguards. The programme was designed as a comprehensive, practice-oriented pathway aimed at equipping participants with tools immediately applicable to the negotiation, drafting and management of contracts for the acquisition and outsourcing of AI systems and models.

The entire workshop was delivered by Attorney Alessandro Del Ninno, who guided participants through a systematic examination of the legal issues arising in the outsourcing of artificial intelligence solutions. He first analysed the strategic aspects of AI outsourcing, highlighting preliminary assessments, risk factors and criteria for evaluating AI suppliers. He then examined the critical points of ICT supply arrangements, focusing on the contractual regulation of data usage, restrictions on data sharing and the handling of datasets used to train or operate AI models.

A significant portion of the workshop was devoted to essential contractual clauses for the supply and outsourcing of AI solutions, including service levels, information and reporting obligations, audit and oversight mechanisms, security measures, model-update processes and the management of the relationship with the supplier upon contract termination or supplier replacement. Attorney Del Ninno also analysed the data protection obligations applicable to AI procurement and the recurrent contents of data protection agreements, outlining the main areas of negotiation depending on the respective privacy roles of the parties.

Finally, he addressed the protection of intellectual property rights and the management of legal liability, including liability arising from malfunctions or damages caused by AI systems. He illustrated the contractual safeguards necessary to prevent or mitigate incidents and to manage the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence solutions in outsourcing arrangements.