Kolkata : Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), a leading institution in interdisciplinary education, made history by launching India’s first-ever Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Law.
The B.A. programme in AI & Law is a pioneering
programme designed to bridge the gap between technology and the legal
profession. The course will equip students with a deep understanding of AI
technologies alongside core legal principles. Graduates will be prepared for
careers in technology law, AI policy-making, compliance, and ethical
governance.
The new programme launch reaffirms JGU’s commitment to
academic innovation and societal impact. By introducing this unique B.A.
programme, the university has positioned itself as a pioneer in preparing legal
professionals to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI
revolution.
Announcing
the launch of the path-breaking course, the founding Vice Chancellor of O.P
Jindal Global University Prof (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, "The launch of our programme aims to explore the profound intersections
between AI and robotics. There are five major implications of AI on the legal
domain at a global level:
Promoting Enhanced Legal Analytics: AI-driven tools,
such as predictive analytics, are transforming the legal profession. For
example, tools like Lex Machina in the United States predict case outcomes
based on historical data, significantly influencing global law firms and legal
tech advancements. These innovations highlight the need to promote the
administration of justice through advanced legal analytics.
Addressing Bias and Discrimination in AI: A critical
concern globally, and particularly in India, is bias in AI systems. Tackling
these biases is essential to ensure equitable outcomes in legal processes.
AI in Cross-Border Disputes: AI-driven dispute
resolution platforms are being used for arbitration, streamlining cross-border
trade disputes. However, this raises concerns about sovereignty, uniform
standards, and the implications of AI in international legal frameworks—issues
that are increasingly relevant for India.
Cybersecurity and Privacy Challenges: AI-driven
breaches of data security, such as the infamous Pegasus spyware case, have
exposed vulnerabilities in legal frameworks for data protection. These
challenges demand a robust response to ensure privacy and safeguard civil
liberties in an AI-driven world.
Automated Law Enforcement: The use of AI in
surveillance raises significant concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and
human rights violations. It is crucial to address these issues to prevent
misuse and maintain trust in legal systems."
The announcement was made during a seminar
on “Artificial Intelligence and Law,”. The Chief Guest was the Union Law
Minister for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal. The event also witnessed
the esteemed participation of JGU’s founding Chancellor & Member of
Parliament Mr. Naveen Jindal along with renowned legal scholars, jurists,
policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the intersection of AI and law—a
rapidly evolving field with far-reaching implications.
During
the launch, complimenting O.P. Jindal Global University for its foresight and
wishing it success with the programme, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble
Minister of State for Law and Justice said, "We are living in the
21st century, and regressing is not an option. We must embrace the present and
focus on how to use technology effectively while addressing its challenges. The
human element will always remain essential, and if we advance alongside it,
technology can assist in many areas, such as resolving pending court cases and
facilitating translations." He also addressed concerns surrounding the use of
AI, including ethical issues and the need for data and privacy protection. The
minister encouraged the public and the audience to share their suggestions and
perspectives on these matters.
Dr Raj
Kumar also spoke about ethical concerns as AI systems often inherit biases and
prejudices that can lead to unjust outcomes in sentencing and dispute
resolution. “AI can improve access to justice
through innovations like online dispute resolution. However, over-reliance on
such technology’s risks excluding those without digital literacy or access,
particularly in rural areas. The digital divide must be addressed to avoid
exacerbating inequities. AI systems used for surveillance and enforcement, such
as predictive policing, pose risks to civil liberties and public trust in
institutions. Striking a balance between innovation and accountability is
crucial. The complexities of regulating AI necessitate clear and enforceable
policies that ensure compliance while fostering innovation. Legal frameworks
must evolve to address these challenges effectively. Nations that fail to
integrate AI into their legal systems risk falling behind in areas like
arbitration, trade law, and technological development. Meaningful engagement
and nuanced conversations on AI's legal implications are essential to remain
competitive. The launch of not just India’s but Asia's first undergraduate
program in AI and law at the Jindal Global Law School, aims to create
opportunities for teaching, research, capacity building, and training on the
intersection of AI and legal studies. He further stated that the course is
aimed to position India as a leader in this critical field by taking such
actions”, he added.
Hon’ble
Mr. Justice Dipankar Dutta, Judge, Supreme Court of India observed that the “Floodgates of thoughts and opinions that
have been expressed about the impact of AI on the legal profession make it
difficult to predict the change it will ultimately bring to legal services.
Such uncertainty is not new, this is often the case with new technologies
especially when they are revolutionary and have the potential for real and
substantial change. While there are differing thoughts on where the AI
bandwagon will take us, it is undeniable that it can change academia, the
practice of law and the delivery of justice.”
According
to Mr. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, “The issue would be how the
traditional relationship between law and technology must evolve to accommodate
the fundamental shift in the nature of technology, one that has already begun.
The shift will transform how we use technology, more precisely it will change
our relationship with technology, from using technology to interacting with
technology.”
Echoing
the larger sentiment, Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of
India stated, “Artificial
Intelligence (AI) has become a global phenomenon, a topic of significant
discussion and legislative focus, with around 33 laws passed worldwide in 2022
alone, excluding India. While AI's advancements are remarkable, it is essential
to acknowledge its limitations, particularly in areas like legal adjudication
where human judgment plays a pivotal role. Legal decision-making is far from
being a mechanical or purely algorithmic process; it requires the nuanced
understanding, empathy, and discretion of a human judge. Algorithms, no matter
how advanced, lack the ability to factor in the human considerations that often
guide judicial interventions to deliver justice. For instance, there are cases
where legal technicalities might deem a matter non-maintainable, yet judges,
driven by their sense of fairness or compassion, may choose to intervene,
potentially altering outcomes in ways that algorithms cannot replicate. Such human
elements are critical not only for the litigants but also for society at large,
which often places its faith in the judiciary to uphold justice beyond rigid
procedural confines. This underscores the irreplaceable value of human insight
in the legal system amidst the rise of AI.”
Dr.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India stated, “The integration of AI in law raises
questions about the future of legal professionals. Obviously, AI cannot and
even should not attempt to replace lawyers. While AI can automate routine
tasks, it cannot replicate the nuanced judgment or ethical considerations that
human lawyers and judges bring to the table. AI must remain an efficient and
obedient servant and never be allowed to become the master. It should always be
viewed as a tool that can augment human capabilities allowing legal
professionals to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their work.
While AI presents significant challenges to the legal field these challenges
are not insurmountable and they must be met, for us to absorb, integrate and
introduce AI into our system by fostering transparency, addressing bias,
implementing robust regulations. By viewing AI as a complementary tool rather
than a replacement, we can harness the humungous potential of AI to advance justice.”
No comments:
Post a Comment