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India’s First Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation Launched at Jindal Global Law School to Shape the Future of Digital Justice and Policy
India's first AI, Law & Regulation Centre launched at Jindal Global Law School, backed by ₹15 crore endowment. It aims to advance AI governance, ethics, and legal research.
Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation Launched at Jindal Global Law School
The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation has been established at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) as India's first dedicated centre focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, law, policy, and regulation. This initiative, announced by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) Managing Partner Cyril Shroff and OP Jindal Global University, coincides with CAM's 10-year anniversary.
Primarily a philanthropic effort, the Centre seeks to advance education, research, and policy formulation in AI and legal frameworks. Its mission is to address the challenges posed by the digital economy and AI technologies by generating rigorous research, shaping public policy, and building capacity through training and collaboration.
Strategic Vision and Funding
Supported by a ₹15 crore endowment from Cyril Shroff, the Centre operates independently within JGLS. Prof C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University, highlighted the Centre’s role in supporting government departments and courts by developing compliance mechanisms and ethical policies. The goal is to ensure AI technologies not only function effectively but also uphold societal values and legal standards.
Shroff emphasized that the Centre is not a commercial venture but a public-spirited initiative aimed at filling gaps in ethical standards and compliance in AI. Unlike previous efforts benefiting private interests, this Centre will function autonomously within the university, providing unbiased research and policy advice.
Addressing India's Judicial Challenges
The Centre will also focus on the broader issues facing India’s judicial system, particularly the backlog of nearly 50 million pending cases. Prof Raj Kumar pointed out the potential for AI to improve access to justice and reduce case pendency. This extends beyond corporate law into wider legal and social issues where AI applications can support efficient dispute resolution and enhance public trust in the judiciary.
Role as an Amicus Curiae
Cyril Shroff expressed hope that courts might appoint the Centre as an amicus curiae to assist in cases involving AI regulation. The Centre aims to serve as a trusted resource for the judiciary, government agencies, and policymakers seeking expert guidance on AI-related legal matters.
Collaborations and Global Outreach
The Centre plans to forge partnerships with key Indian agencies like NITI Aayog, Ministry of Electronics & IT, RBI, SEBI, and TRAI. On the global stage, collaborations are expected with regulators and institutions such as the OECD, EU AI Act bodies, US FTC, UK AI Safety Institute, and leading universities including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, and MIT.
Engagement with technology leaders like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and Meta, alongside India’s tech ecosystem, will further enrich the Centre’s initiatives.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
- Launch interdisciplinary research projects focused on AI law, ethics, and governance.
- Introduce AI-integrated law courses and executive training programmes for legal professionals and policymakers.
- Develop an AI ethics framework tailored for India along with policy whitepapers to guide regulators.
- Establish chair professorships, research grants, and publish scholarly works on AI governance.
Ten Key Objectives
- Research and Knowledge Creation: Generate advanced research on AI regulation, governance, ethics, and liability.
- Policy Formulation and Advisory: Provide expert recommendations to Indian and international regulatory bodies.
- AI and Law Curriculum Development: Design courses and executive education programmes for legal experts and corporate leaders.
- Multi-stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with industry, academia, government, and civil society to govern AI effectively.
- Global AI Governance and Ethics: Contribute to international AI law discussions and cooperate with organisations like OECD, UN, WTO, EU, and G20.
- AI and Human Rights: Examine AI’s impact on privacy, discrimination, and fundamental rights, proposing ethical regulatory frameworks.
- Legal Tech and AI Regulation: Study AI’s role in transforming legal practice, dispute resolution, and justice delivery.
- Litigation, Liability, and AI-driven Risks: Address legal issues around AI accountability, product liability, and autonomous systems.
- AI and Financial Regulation: Explore AI’s effects on banking, fintech, algorithmic trading, and develop regulatory policies.
- Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Conduct lectures, conferences, and training to enhance public understanding of AI law.
Legal professionals interested in expanding their knowledge of AI’s impact on law and regulation may find value in relevant courses and resources available at Complete AI Training.
The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation is set to become a pivotal institution in shaping India’s approach to AI governance, ensuring legal frameworks keep pace with technological progress and safeguard public interest.