About
Clare Veal is a commercial solicitor and the founder of Aubergine Legal, a specialist consultancy supporting psychologists, therapists and education professionals with clear, practical legal guidance in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Clare advises on AI governance, data protection, intellectual property and ethical risk, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies are reshaping psychological practice. She works closely with all types of psychologists, clinical teams and independent practitioners across the UK, helping them use AI safely, lawfully and confidently in their day-to-day work.
Through Aubergine Legal, Clare has developed a suite of accessible AI and data-protection resources for psychologists — including compliance checklists, child-friendly explainers, DPIA templates and practical guidance on integrating AI tools into assessment, report writing and service delivery. Her work is known for translating complex regulation into clear, usable advice that supports both innovation and safeguarding.
Clare regularly trains professional networks on AI, UK GDPR, and the legal responsibilities of psychologists using digital tools. Her approach blends legal expertise with a deep understanding of psychological practice, ensuring practitioners can embrace new technologies without compromising ethics, client trust or professional standards.
At this conference, Clare will explore the legal, regulatory and practical realities of AI use in psychology — and what practitioners need to know to stay compliant, protected and ahead of the curve.
Sessions
AI in Psychology: The UK Legal and Regulatory Landscape
There is no AI-specific legislation in the UK, so what is and is not permitted has to be worked out from UK GDPR and the guidance regulators have published so far. Clare is a solicitor who advises psychologists on these questions, and this session sets out the legal and regulatory landscape as it currently stands. It covers what UK GDPR asks of a practice once AI tools touch clinical work, the ICO's current position, and where the professional bodies have landed, including the joint regulator statement and the BPS's reference to the Global Psychology Alliance principles. AI note-takers get particular attention: the questions worth asking before adopting a tool, consent, where data is stored and whether it leaves the UK, and when a data protection impact assessment is needed.
What you'll take away
- Understand what UK GDPR asks of you when AI tools touch clinical work, in the absence of AI-specific legislation
- Know the ICO's current position on AI and data protection
- Understand where the HCPC and BPS stand, including the joint regulator statement and the Global Psychology Alliance principles
- Know the questions worth asking before adopting an AI note-taker, from consent to where data is stored
- Recognise when a data protection impact assessment is needed