John Buyers

John has over thirty years’ experience of large-scale domestic and international technology and outsourcing transactions, and for the last decade has practised almost exclusively in the Artificial Intelligence space. He heads up our artificial intelligence and machine learning client team. 

John is a partner and head of Osborne Clarke's international AI team at Osborne Clarke. He has some thirty years of practice, both in house at a number of leading technology organisations and in private practice. He trained many years ago as a transactional outsourcing lawyer and has seen the industry evolve from people intensive on-premise services to a world which is driven by cloud, digitalisation and artificial intelligence. His practice involves advising businesses on the regulatory impact of AI systems, licensing and procuring technology, including AI and Machine Learning and generally assisting enterprise move into the digital space. 

John is a widely acknowledged expert on AI law and ethics and frequently writes, speaks and podcasts on the topic. He recently released the third edition of his book on AI and the law, and also edits a global comparative guide on AI published by Global Legal Media. 

Amongst his clients he is lucky to act for some of the world's biggest technology businesses as well as a variety of innovative AI led startups. He is a frequent visitor to Silicon Valley and sits as an expert advisor on the UK parliamentary APPG (all party parliamentary group) on AI (a forum for UK parliamentarians) and the University of Durham's Bias in AI research group, EquiAI. 

John is ranked as a global market leader for Artificial Intelligence in Chambers and Partners guide to the legal profession and is privileged to be a member of the Legal 500's Hall of Fame for AI.

John is a stellar lawyer and a thought leader in artificial intelligence. He has the rare combination of exceptional legal acumen and a strong focus on client service."

Chambers