Jonathan Blavin Shares Insights on AI Litigation in 2026
Jonathan Blavin, a partner at renowned law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, recently spoke with Legaltech News to discuss the evolving legal landscape surrounding artificial intelligence. His interview was featured in the article titled, “Legal Tech’s Predictions for Artificial Intelligence in 2026.”
Blavin’s remarks highlight a significant shift in the types of lawsuits being filed as AI technologies become more integrated into consumer-facing products. He predicts a substantial rise in personal injury and mass tort cases involving artificial intelligence in the coming year and beyond. This trend indicates that AI-related litigation is expanding well beyond its traditional focus on copyright and intellectual property issues.
A Growing Focus on AI-Driven Harm
According to Blavin, 2026 will see an uptick in legal actions targeting consumer AI applications. These lawsuits are expected to arise from incidents where AI systems allegedly cause harm—physically, emotionally, or financially. This shift is being fueled in part by the proliferation of AI tools in everyday products, from self-driving cars to health monitoring apps and virtual assistants.
“We’re beginning to see AI litigation evolve in much the same way that lawsuits against social media platforms developed over the past decade,” Blavin explained. “Individuals, municipalities, and school districts are now exploring legal remedies for damages they believe stem from AI tools gone awry.”
Beyond Copyright: New Legal Frontiers
Historically, legal disputes involving artificial intelligence were largely centered on copyright infringement and intellectual property. However, as AI becomes more autonomous and influential in decision-making processes, the scope of litigation has broadened considerably.
Blavin emphasized that this new era of AI litigation will require courts to address complex questions involving liability, causation, and intent. “When an AI tool makes a decision that leads to harm, determining who—or what—is at fault becomes a legally intricate issue,” he said.
This complexity is compounded by the rapid development and deployment of generative AI technologies. With systems that can now create content, make recommendations, and even interact with users in highly personalized ways, the legal system must adapt to a landscape where the traditional frameworks of liability may no longer apply.
Mass Torts and Class Actions on the Horizon
Blavin foresees a rise in class action lawsuits and mass tort claims against companies deploying AI technologies. These actions will likely target firms whose AI systems are alleged to cause widespread harm or systemic bias.
“We can expect to see plaintiffs’ lawyers pursuing cases that involve not just one-off incidents, but patterns of harm that affect large groups of people,” Blavin noted. “Issues related to algorithmic bias, data privacy violations, and physical injuries linked to autonomous devices will become more prominent.”
This projection aligns with broader industry trends. Regulatory bodies and advocacy groups are increasingly scrutinizing the deployment of AI, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and public safety.
Legal Challenges and Opportunities
While the rise in AI litigation presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for legal innovation. Blavin believes that law firms and courts will need to develop new strategies and analytical tools to effectively handle these complex cases.
“Legal professionals must become fluent in the technologies they’re litigating over,” he said. “Understanding how AI systems function, what data they use, and how they make decisions will be critical to building strong cases and defenses.”
In response to this evolving landscape, many law firms are investing in AI literacy programs and forming specialized teams focused on technology law. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between technical complexity and legal accountability.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to transform industries and daily life, the legal system must evolve in tandem. Jonathan Blavin’s insights offer a compelling look at where AI litigation is headed—and how legal professionals can prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“We’re only at the beginning of this journey,” Blavin concluded. “How we address these legal questions today will shape the future of AI governance and trust.”
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.