UPDATE — JULY 2025: This blog reflects the latest trends in AI ethics, especially the rising importance of legal professionals. In 2024, the American Bar Association issued Formal Opinion 512, affirming that lawyers have an ethical duty to stay competent in the AI tools they use—especially generative AI. This includes knowing their limits, applying proper oversight, and managing risk.

Law firms across the country are now creating dedicated AI ethics practice groups, and hybrid legal-technical roles are becoming more common. At the same time, professionals like UX researchers and librarians continue to play essential roles in transparency, usability, and data governance. These trends reflect a global shift toward multidisciplinary AI governance.

ORIGINAL BLOG POST:

Roles and Technical Expertise Required for Lawyers and Other Professionals in AI Ethics

As AI becomes central to more industries, ethical oversight is crucial. Lawyers bring legal risk management and compliance skills to the table. Their responsibilities include:

• Reviewing legal and regulatory risks in AI development

• Drafting policies that ensure ethical AI use

• Advising on privacy and data protection compliance

They help organizations align with national and international laws while promoting responsible AI practices.

But today’s AI lawyers must go beyond legal expertise. Technical literacy—understanding how AI models work and how data is processed—is increasingly important. Lawyers who can talk to engineers, data scientists, and developers can better guide ethical AI projects.

By bridging legal and technical domains, these professionals play a key role in preventing harm, improving accountability, and supporting ethical innovation.

UX Researchers: Designing Trustworthy AI

AI ethics is also about how people use and experience these tools. User experience (UX) researchers study how individuals interact with AI systems. They identify:

• Confusing or deceptive design elements

• Accessibility and usability barriers

• Gaps in transparency and user control

Their expertise helps ensure AI systems are clear, fair, and user-friendly. UX researchers are vital for creating AI that earns public trust and supports ethical use at the point of interaction.

Librarians and Data Governance

Librarians may not be the first profession people think of in AI ethics—but their value is clear. They are experts in:

• Organizing information

• Preserving knowledge

• Promoting access and transparency

In AI projects, they bring strong skills in data governance, including privacy, security, and responsible data stewardship. Their work helps organizations build and maintain ethical data practices, which are foundational to any trustworthy AI system.

Conclusion: Collaboration is Key

Ethical AI requires a team effort. Lawyers, UX researchers, librarians, and other professionals all bring unique perspectives to the table. Together, they can:

• Promote transparency and fairness

• Protect user rights and safety

• Guide AI development with legal and ethical integrity

As AI continues to evolve, this collaborative approach is essential to build trust, ensure accountability, and support responsible innovation.

Need Help?

You might be seeking clarity on the variety of diverse roles needed in AI ethics. BABL AI‘s team of audit experts stands ready to assist you.