Articles

Posted on

Online Safety for Children

Below is a short article on the importance of online safety for children. This is the first of several articles which will culminate in a project concerning online safety. Let’s stay in touch.

The internet is a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and staying connected which can can also bring risks to children if used carelessly or incorrectly. Online safety is important for multiple reasons including teaching children how to use the internet responsibly while protecting their personal information and wellbeing.

Children often spend time online for schoolwork, games, and social media to name a few. While these activities can be educational and fun, they may also expose children to dangers such as cyberbullying, strangers pretending to be friends, or websites that share inappropriate content. Without guidance, children may not always recognise these risks.

Protecting children online is vital because their digital choices can have long-lasting effects. Sharing too much personal information could put their privacy at risk, while negative online experiences may affect their mental health and confidence. Teaching children about safe passwords, respectful communication and use, and how to report concerns helps them build healthy digital habits.

Parents, teachers, and guardians can all play a role in guiding children toward safe online usage. By learning how to spot risks and encouraging open conversations, we can help children explore the internet in a way that is safe, positive, and empowering.

Sources: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (UK), and ChatGPT

Posted on

Training Webinar: AI opportunities and challenges

On Saturday 3 May, 2025, I helped moderate and presented in the webinar shown on the flyer below.

Hellen Mukiri-Smith, PhD was the featured speaker/presenter.

She has expertise in the regulation of data, emerging technologies including fintech, artificial intelligence and  biometrics identity systems.

The topic of this capacity building webinar was “Artificial Intelligence (AI) opportunities and challenges”

Her research interests are in transnational law-making processes in the regulation of data and AI to protect human rights and the rule of law, and the use of strategic litigation as a tool to regulate the use of data and AI.

During the presentation, Mukiri-Smith, PhD covered multiple topics including the following:

  • Introduction to relevant AI terms;
  • Global trends in AI;
  • Opportunities and challenges;
  • Sectoral AI applications; and
  • AI case studies

It was a pleasure to contribut to the webinar by presenting on selected case studies involving Generative AI namely Large Language Models (LLMs).

Upwards and Onwards to other capacity building events.

I am excited to organising my next AI capacity building event. If you are looking for a thoughtful organiser or a compelling presenter then let’s connect at kean@smithkas.com.

Posted on

Arbitration – resolving disputes with speed

There are many advantages of arbitration when compared to litigation in State Courts.  The following advantages mainly are related to commercial disputes:

Speed;

Flexibility;

Quality expertise;

Finality; and

Enforceability

In this short summary that follows, I will focus on the benefit of the speed of arbitration when compared to litigation. 

Whether you are reading this from the perspective of a business, an organisation or an individual you would prefer commercial disputes to be addressed and resolved quickly.  The sooner such disputes are resolved then the sooner you and your enterprise or organisation can return or focus your energy on the operations of your business or project.

The shorter the distraction caused by the commercial dispute the less time needed to be allocated to the dispute.  The less time allocated to the dispute will result in less financial and opportunity costs to you and/or your enterprise or organisation. 

Litigation

Litigation can be slow.  State Courts in most jurisdictions are suffering from back logs with hearing dates in excess of 52 weeks away once cases have advanced to the stage of a pre-hearing review.  In some jurisdictions a wait of 3 to 4 years for a hearing date is not unusual.  One of the reasons for the back log is because multiple parties demand the courts’ time and that time is very limited because the number of Judges are limited and the Court operates during normal business hours during weekdays. 

Pre-Conference Venue

Arbitration

Arbitration moves faster than Litigation because of its procedure.  Arbitration is not limited or restricted to the Civil Procedure Rules used in State Courts.  As a party to an arbitration you can implement your own procedure once all parties agree because it is your arbitration and a private process.  Your hearing can start and finish whatever time you wish providing that the other party and the arbitrator(s) agree.  Additionally, you may decide and be able to get the other parties to agree to have the arbitration be determined on the documents only.  This will of course avoid oral arguments and oral submissions which can save you additional time.

Its faster to use arbitration to resolve commercial disputes.  One of the reasons is because you and the other parties to the arbitration can draft your own procedure to govern the arbitration and avoid the Civil Procedure Rules of State Courts.  In fact, you and the parties to the arbitration can take the necessary steps to ensure that your arbitration process is tailor-made to mitigate against your arbitration being protracted.  This cannot be done in State Courts.

If you have a commercial dispute on your hands and desire that the dispute is resolved quickly then I recommend that you consider arbitration. 

Posted on

Investing for Individuals – Index Funds

Please note: The information below is not investment advice or not intended to be used as investment advice. The information below is being shared for education purposes only.

Following my blog posted on 19 May, 2024, I organised an online meetup to discuss basics of value investing. Below is a short post on index funds.

Investing in an index fund ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a cost-effective strategy for individual investors with smaller amounts to invest. Index fund ETFs track a specific market index, such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100, offering exposure to a broad range of stocks with a single investment. This diversification is believed to reduce the risk of significant losses, as your money is spread across various companies and sectors.

One of the main benefits of index fund ETFs is their low cost. Management fees, or expense ratios, are typically lower compared to actively managed funds, which means more of your money stays invested and is likely to grow over time.

Posted on

Value investing 101 for individuals

Please note: The information below is not investment advice or not intended to be used as investment advice. The information below is being shared for education purposes only.

On 19 May, 2024, in one of my blogs I mentioned that I was in the process of organising a meetup on “Value investing 101 for individuals”.

The meetup was successfully organised and held virtually.

One of the topics discussed was the long-term strategy of value investing. For example, value investing avoids frequent trading but instead focuses on the company’s long-term prospects.

Photo of some global currencies

If you are an individual investor then value investing is an interesting strategy to learn more about.

Happy learning and I wish you all good trades.

Posted on

Do it Yourself as an Individual Investor

Please note: The information below is not investment advice or not intended to be used as investment advice. The information below is being shared for education purposes only.

Investing in equity markets (stock markets) by individual investors experienced immense growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that as a result of this growth, many people have become interested or more engaged with the equity markets. This has been facilitated by the ease of opening brokerage accounts and being able to trade stocks online.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

My view is that individuals are more interested because of the following reasons:

  • they desire higher returns on their investments (e.g. higher than what most retail banks offer on savings accounts);
  • investing in equity markets have become easier (e.g. the development and improvement of trading platforms have made brokerage accounts more accessible); and
  • its rewarding to develop and execute an investment strategy, and be able to participate in the equity markets even with modest savings (e.g. some brokerage accounts can be opened without a deposit or requiring as little as £250/$300).

I am in the process of organising a meetup on “Value investing 101 for individuals”. This meetup will be a 30 minute online event. If you wish to receive an invite then send a request to kean@smithkas.com. The limited spaces will be shared on a first come basis and a second meetup will be organised if demand requires.

Posted on

Law and Artificial Intelligence

This page contains summaries and links to articles covering law and the use of artificial intelligence.

Co-Chair of the UN’s AI Advisory Body, reflected on the role of the UN in creating globally agreed AI regulations – 1 January, 2024

UN News

Interim Report, Governing AI for Humanity concludes that AI “cries out for governance, not merely to address the challenges and risks, but to ensure we harness its potential in ways that leave no one behind”.

US Supreme Court Chief Justice predicts AI will ‘significantly’ impact legal work – 2 January, 2024

Cointelegraph

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts predicts AI will “significantly” impact legal work at the trial level while saying AI usage by legal teams requires “caution and humility.” 

According to Roberts, AI can “indisputably assist” the current judicial system in pushing forward the goals of implementing rule no. 1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures to seek the “just, speedy, and inexpensive” resolution of cases.

Posted on

Meet Up: Wills and Letters of Administration

On Sunday 29 October, 2023, I presented on the benefits and formalities of Wills.

The online Meet Up was organised by Cabbage Hill Development Association for its members.

Ms. Edith Bain, President of the Cabbage Hill Development Association had the following to say about attending the event:

“I was so glad to be a part of that meeting on Sunday evening with Kean Smith. My goodness! The information that was disseminated was just amazing. Mr. Smith didn’t leave one stone unturned when it came to Wills. He was very informative and made the language clear so everyone could understand him. Intense and inquisitive minds were on high alert all evening. Thanks very much Kean for an excellent job …”.

It was truly a pleasure presenting to the members of this organisation and look forward to presenting at additional Meet Ups.

Posted on

Coronation of King Charles III – Coronation Day … More Photos

The following photos were taken along Whitehall, Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey.

Whitehall is known as the centre of government in the United Kingdom. Hopefully these photos give you a glimpse of the events around Whitehall and Parliament Square before the Coronation weekend.

The Women of World War II Memorial, Whitehall

Approaching the The Cenotaph 

Along Whitehall traveling towards Parliament

Downing Street

Main gate to 10 Downing Street

The U.K. Parliament

Big Ben

Preparing ParliamentSquare

Parliament Square being prepared for the Coronation
(Westminster Abbey in the background)

Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
(adjacent to Westminster Abbey)

Press Booths facing Westminster Abbey

Preparations at Westminster Abbey with Big Ben in the background

Posted on

Coronation of King Charles III – 1 day to go … More Photos

The photos below were taken in St. James’ Park on the way to Admiralty Arch and the Horse Guards Parade Ground. You should be able to see that security and preparations for the Coronation event was well on the way.

For those who missed it, the procession will leave Buckingham Palace, travel along the Mall through Admiralty Arch, along Whitehall, pass Parliament Square and then onto Westminster Abbey.

So here are about 12 photos.

Using my first lesson in navigation! (Photo by K. Smith)

The map below gave the layout of the area and was very useful. The Mall and Horse Guard Parade is clearly marked.

Map of St. James’ Park and surrounding area including Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horse Guards Parade Ground (Photo by K. Smith)

The Mall runs east to west from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch. Security allowed the general public to cross at this point along the Mall but this will not happen on the day of the Coronation.

The Mall facing Buckingham Palace (Photo by K. Smith)

The Mall facing Admiralty Arch lined with flags (K.Smith)

The Horse Guards Parade – there is a museum of the Horse Guards on the other side of this parade. The entrance is on Whitehall. Whitehall connects Admiralty Arch to Parliament Square. By the way, the main entrance to 10 Downing Street is on Whitehall.

Admiralty Arch

Walking from the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade Ground … the London Eye seems to be keeping watch in the background (Photo by K. Smith)

Horse Guards Parade Ground with additional seating area (Photo by K. Smith)

Law Enforcement in position between St. James’ Park and Horse Guards Parade Ground (Photo by K.Smith)

Entrance to Admiralty Arch facing Trafalgar Square

Leaving the junction of Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square heading towards Horse Guards Museum and Whitehall with Big Ben in the background

Main entrance to the Horse Guards Museum

Soldiers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

The next post will comprise photos of Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey.