In a groundbreaking initiative, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana, launched India’s first-ever Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Law at the Jindal Global Law School (JGLS).
This historic moment was marked by the seminar titled “Artificial Intelligence and Law,” which attracted a diverse range of legal scholars, policymakers, jurists, and industry leaders.
The seminar aimed to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and the legal profession, raising pertinent questions about the future of legal practices in an AI-driven world.
The event was graced by Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, who served as the Chief Guest. Meghwal lauded the innovative approach of combining AI with legal studies, calling it a significant milestone for both fields.
He underscored that embracing technology was essential for the future, especially in addressing the myriad challenges the 21st century presents.
However, Meghwal also highlighted the necessity of retaining the human element in the legal sphere, ensuring that technology serves as a tool rather than a replacement for human judgement.
In his address, Meghwal acknowledged the potential of AI to revolutionise the legal industry. He particularly focused on AI’s capacity to help resolve pending court cases more efficiently and its role in enhancing translation services.
Despite these advantages, Meghwal raised concerns over the ethical implications of AI, emphasising the importance of safeguarding data privacy and protection as AI systems continue to be integrated into critical sectors.
The Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, Prof. C. Raj Kumar, offered a comprehensive analysis of AI’s global impact on the legal field. He discussed several crucial issues, including advancements in legal analytics and the growing challenge of bias and discrimination within AI systems.
Kumar also touched upon AI’s role in cross-border dispute resolution and the pressing need for robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive legal data.
One of the key concerns he raised was the ethical dilemmas posed by AI-driven law enforcement, which could potentially amplify societal inequities, particularly for marginalized groups.
Justice Dipankar Dutta, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, reflected on the vast array of opinions surrounding AI’s potential impact on the legal profession.
He acknowledged the difficulty of predicting how AI would transform legal services, pointing out that such uncertainty is typical when revolutionary technologies emerge.
Despite this uncertainty, Justice Dutta expressed confidence that AI would undoubtedly reshape academia, legal practices, and the delivery of justice. The integration of AI in the legal system, he stated, is inevitable, although the exact nature of its role remains a subject of debate.
Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani, who also serves as the Attorney General for India, emphasised the need for a fundamental shift in how law interacts with technology.
He pointed out that the relationship between law and technology must evolve to reflect the profound changes underway. Venkataramani suggested that as technology continues to advance, legal professionals must adapt, engaging with technology in ways that are more complex than simply using it as a tool.
Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General of India, shared his perspective on the global impact of AI. He noted that AI has become a global phenomenon, attracting significant legislative attention.
In 2022 alone, around 33 laws were passed worldwide to regulate AI technologies. Mehta recognised the tremendous progress AI has made but also cautioned against over-reliance on it, particularly in the realm of legal adjudication.
He emphasised that AI should not replace human judgement in legal matters, as legal decision-making requires empathy, discretion, and a nuanced understanding that algorithms cannot replicate.
Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, addressed the future role of legal professionals in an AI-driven world. He stressed that while AI has the potential to automate routine tasks, it should never replace human lawyers.
AI’s role, according to Dr. Singhvi, should remain that of a servant, enhancing human capabilities and enabling legal professionals to focus on more strategic and complex aspects of their work.
The key to integrating AI into the legal system, he suggested, lies in ensuring transparency, addressing bias, and implementing robust regulations to guide its use.
Follow us
