The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), JGU, was formally launched at the historic Law Society of England and Wales, London. This is India's first centre of excellence exclusively dedicated to the intersection of artificial intelligence, law and public policy.
The highlight of the London event was the inaugural lecture by Professor David B. Wilkins, Lester Kissel Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Global Initiatives at Harvard Law School, titled 'Reimagining Law, Lawyers, and Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence'. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion with global experts in AI, law, and regulation. The lecture was co-hosted by JGU, The Law Society of England and Wales, The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation, India Business Group, and JGLS.
The Centre has been established through ₹15 crore endowment by Mr. Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and reflects his visionary commitment to advancing ethical AI regulation and access to justice. Anchored at JGLS, India's No. 1 ranked law school, the Centre will foster interdisciplinary research, executive education, and international collaborations to shape the future of law and technology in India and beyond.
The Centre's mission includes conducting interdisciplinary research, offering executive and professional education programmes, and engaging with international bodies like the UN, EU and OECD to contribute to globally harmonised regulatory approaches. As India emerges as one of the world's leading digital economies, with a tech-savvy youth population and increasing global influence, the Centre will play a pivotal role in building institutional capacity for AI law and governance.
Speaking at the launch, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, said:, "The launch of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation represents a bold and forward-looking step in the evolution of legal education and technological innovation. At JGU and JGLS, we are committed to ensuring that emerging technologies like AI are harnessed to uphold justice, human dignity, and democratic values. This Centre is not only about research and policy — it is about shaping the future of access to justice in a digital world."
"I recognise and honour Mr. Cyril Shroff's extraordinary act of philanthropy and intellectual vision. It is not common to see law firms and their leaders invest so deeply in the public interest, especially in frontier areas like AI. His contribution reflects what all law firms should aspire toward: to play a transformative role in building thought leadership and influencing the public policy architecture of our time. We need more institutions like this where legal minds work hand-in-hand with scientists, engineers, ethicists, and policymakers to shape the future."
Mr. Cyril Shroff said, "India is at a crucial inflection point where law and technology must converge to serve the public good. AI can be a powerful equaliser transforming access to justice, speeding up legal processes, and making governance more efficient. But we must proceed with both innovation and inclusion. Through this Centre, we aim to contribute to global discourse and build frameworks that are thoughtful, ethical, and future-ready."
Speaking about the impact of AI on the legal profession, Mr. Shroff said, "For lawyers to fully engage with the challenges and opportunities posed by AI, we must embrace interdisciplinary research. Law cannot operate in a silo — our thinking must be informed by technology, data science, behavioural insights, ethics, and more. I am hopeful that this Centre will emerge as a hub of ideas and leadership from the Global South, where normative rule-making and benchmarking should not merely follow but begin. India has both the capacity and the responsibility to be a thought leader in this space.
"JGLS combines intellectual depth with global ambition, making it the ideal partner for pioneering AI and law research. Its interdisciplinary ethos and strong international networks create fertile ground for innovation. Hosting the Centre here ensures the ideas it generates resonate far beyond India, influencing regulatory thinking from the Global South."
Mr. Richard Atkins, President of the Law Society of England & Wales, welcomed the gathering and said, "It was a great honour for the Law Society to host this significant event. For over 200 years, the Law Society has served the legal profession in upholding the rule of law and advancing justice. The launch of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation in London reflects a shared commitment to global legal innovation and collaboration. We are proud to support this important initiative that brings together law, technology and public service in such a powerful way."
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor David B. Wilkins of Harvard Law School observed, "Artificial intelligence is not just a tool for lawyers; it is transforming the very architecture of legal systems. Institutions like the Cyril Shroff Centre are essential to ensuring that AI is integrated into the rule of law responsibly, ethically and equitably. Lawyers must now become architects of technological justice, not just interpreters of legal codes.
"AI is also reshaping the landscape of the legal profession and the structure of law firms themselves. From client service delivery and dispute resolution to document review and predictive analytics, the profession is undergoing a seismic shift. We must be mindful of how these changes affect not only the economics of law, but also its core values — fairness, accountability and human judgment. The legal profession must rise to this moment with both courage and conscience."
Congratulating Mr. Cyril Shroff for his leadership in philanthropy and Professor Raj Kumar on his outstanding contributions to global institution-building efforts, Professor Wilkins stated: "JGLS is uniquely positioned to lead this global conversation. Its commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and international engagement makes it the natural home for this Centre. There is no better institution in the Global South to shape how AI and law intersect for the public good."
Professor (Dr.) Shailendra Raj Mehta, the O.P. Jindal Distinguished University Professor at JGU, emphasised: "India has a rare opportunity to lead the world in responsible AI governance. To do that, we need serious academic institutions that can produce research, train professionals, and influence global policymaking. The Cyril Shroff Centre will be a beacon of thought leadership, policy insight and ethical reflection."
The launch event featured a panel discussion moderated by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar and Mr. Cyril Shroff that brought together leading global voices from academia, the judiciary, and law firms. The panelists included:
The panel explored the evolving regulatory landscape of AI, the implications for privacy and fundamental rights, the ethical challenges for lawyers and policymakers, and the role of India in shaping a human-centered global AI framework.