In the fourth episode of THE LEAD ICON PODCAST, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dragan Gasic, Special Counsel at Black Bay Lawyers, a commercial law firm based in Sydney, Australia. Our conversation spanned critical topics, from integrating AI into business operations to managing employment law challenges and protecting intellectual property. Dragan shared actionable insights that every small to medium-sized business (SME) can use to remain compliant and competitive in a fast-evolving world.
The Intersection of AI and Business
As businesses increasingly adopt AI and advanced technologies, Dragan emphasised the importance of understanding these tools and their potential risks. He noted that while AI can streamline operations—like automating repetitive tasks, optimising supply chains, and enhancing predictive analytics—it also introduces challenges. Businesses must safeguard sensitive data, navigate ethical considerations, and ensure AI-generated content is accurate and reliable.
“One of the biggest risks with AI is the potential for hallucinations—AI generating outputs that appear credible but are factually incorrect,” Dragan explained.
He urged businesses to remain vigilant and balance AI efficiencies with rigorous verification processes.
Employment Law and Workplace Technology
Employment law remains a key area of concern for SMEs, particularly as workplace technology evolves. Dragan highlighted trends like remote monitoring, the gig economy, and disputes over employee classifications. With the rise of hybrid work environments, businesses must enforce clear policies on data privacy, intellectual property, and acceptable technology use.
“Proper training and policies are essential to ensure employees understand the implications of their actions, particularly when using personal devices or accessing company data,” Dragan said. He also stressed the importance of addressing disputes promptly and fairly, with transparent systems in place.
Defamation in the Digital Age
In today’s online-driven world, defamation cases have surged, with significant financial implications for small businesses. Dragan outlined practical steps for managing online reputations, such as monitoring for defamatory content and responding professionally to negative reviews.
“Businesses need to train staff to avoid making defamatory statements and have sensitive content reviewed before publication,” he advised. Given the high average payout for defamation cases, he strongly recommended seeking legal advice to mitigate risks.
Protecting Confidential Information and IP
Protecting intellectual property (IP) and confidential information is another area where many businesses fall short. Dragan underscored the importance of having robust contracts in place, particularly for employees and contractors, to prevent misuse of trade secrets and proprietary information.
“Clear agreements that define rights, obligations, and confidentiality expectations are critical,” he said. For businesses operating across borders, due diligence and jurisdiction-specific clauses in contracts are vital to ensure enforceability.
AI and the Legal Profession
We also explored how AI is reshaping the legal profession. While AI is automating tasks like contract analysis and e-discovery, it’s not replacing lawyers. Instead, it’s enabling them to focus on more complex and creative problem-solving. Dragan predicted that as clients become more AI-savvy, they will demand greater transparency about how AI is used in their cases.
“AI will remain a tool—not a substitute for the human judgment and connection that clients value,” Dragan said. He also noted the growing need for law firms to adapt their billing models to reflect the use of AI in delivering services.
Preparing for the Future
When asked how businesses can prepare for the next five years, Dragan’s advice was clear: focus on understanding your tools, training your staff, and putting robust systems in place. Whether it’s leveraging AI or navigating complex legal landscapes, businesses must remain proactive and adaptable.
“Success lies in balancing technological adoption with a strong foundation of compliance, ethics, and human connection,” Dragan said.
This episode of THE LEAD ICON PODCAST is a must-watch for any business owner navigating the intersection of technology, law, and workplace dynamics. Take a moment to reflect on how your business is integrating AI and addressing legal challenges. Are your policies robust? Is your team equipped to handle the complexities of a tech-driven world? If you’re unsure, reach out to experts like Dragan at Black Bay Lawyers.
Watch the episode 4 of our podcast below.
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