Kelsey Farish

I’ve been advising on AI since 2019, three years before tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney hit the scene.

Some days that means redlining contracts or negotiating deals; on others, it’s working with production teams, speaking on stage, or writing about what’s next. In every context, my focus remains the same: people first, paper second.

My story

“Kelsey got lost on her way to drama school and ended up at law school by mistake.” It’s a joke my family has made about me for years - but there’s truth behind it. I’ve always loved the magic of stories on stage and on screen. 

It was this respect for writers and actors that led me to write one of the first peer-reviewed papers in the world to explore genAI from a legal perspective. But I didn’t approach AI as a lawyer - I approached it as someone who admires the work of creators and performers. It’s their skill and craft that moves people. I consider it a privilege just to play a small role behind the scenes, so my clients can do what they do.

What drew me in was a desire to help protect creative people and their work, especially around digital human replicas and voice cloning. I focus on the industries where stories and identity matter most, like TV, film, music, and publishing. Whether they want to embrace AI or resist it, I try to help clients get there, on their own terms.

Expertise areas

• Artificial Intelligence (GenAI and content creation) — specialising in generative AI, human replicas, voice cloning, and digital likeness rights.
• Artificial Intelligence (Enterprise and production workflows) — advising on AI systems used for scheduling, budgeting, rights management, and other production tools that automate decision-making and data handling.
• Contracts and negotiation — drafting and negotiating performer consents, AI clauses, and production agreements for film, TV, and digital content, as well as reviewing AI Tool T&Cs and advising on dataset (content) licensing.
• Copyright — advising on ownership, licensing, and the creative and legal impact of AI tools in content production.

Speaking engagements and media appearances

• Training and workshops — Deliver bespoke AI and media law sessions for Film London, Bectu, Women in Film & TV, BBC, UKTV, True Crime Producers Association, Talking Point Film, and various ProdCos, supporting teams to integrate AI into creative and production workflows responsibly. Guest lecturer at King's College London, the London School of Economics, University of Ottawa, the University of Galway, and Ravensbourne University
• Industry events — Speaker and panellist Glasgow Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, SXSW (Austin and London), OTT Question Time, and Flow London
• Media appearances — Featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, Channel 5 News, Dispatches, BBC Radio Ulster, LBC, TRT World and more, providing expert commentary on AI’s legal and creative impacts.