NLU Prayagraj Initiates 'In Conversation With Legal Luminary'

Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj, launched its interactive series, 'In Conversation with Legal Luminary,' with an inaugural episode featuring Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, Judge, High Court of Allahabad. This interactive series is an outcome of the academic vision of Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, Vice Chancellor, RPNLU, Prayagraj which aims to provide students with an opportunity to engage with distinguished legal experts on contemporary legal issues.

In the inaugural episode, Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh was engaged in a thought-provoking discourse on the theme 'Law and Artificial Intelligence'. Addressing the gathering, Justice Singh highlighted the dual nature of Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing it as a “double-edged sword.” He emphasized that while AI has revolutionized research, particularly in the legal domain, its reliability remains questionable due to the dependence on algorithm-driven databases. He noted that AI-generated citations are often incorrect, which raises concerns regarding the integrity of legal scholarship.

Discussing Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Justice Singh explained that under Indian law, copyright is not granted to non-human entities, thereby excluding AI-generated works from protection. However, he acknowledged the potential for future amendments in copyright law, considering the extent of AI involvement in creative outputs.

During an engaging Q&A session, Justice Singh responded to a student's query about the role of AI in justice delivery. He asserted that while AI may assist in handling minor legal matters, such as traffic challans, its reliability in judicial decision-making is questionable. He underscored that justice is a product of human evolution, shaped by complex circumstances and evidence that AI cannot fully comprehend.

Justice Singh further elaborated on India's gradual adoption of AI in legal processes, including virtual courts and case segregation, while emphasizing that judicial pronouncements must remain a human prerogative.

Justice Singh also raised pertinent concerns regarding the ethical implications of AI in the legal system. He questioned the reliability of AI algorithms, warning that the forces behind their development may not always be trustworthy. He stressed that justice is an evolving concept, noting that societal notions of justice have changed significantly over the decades. A key challenge, he suggested, is ensuring that AI can deliver unbiased justice, a task that remains a formidable ethical and technical challenge.

Vice-Chancellor, Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, contributing to the discussion, highlighted the growing use of AI-powered bots in judicial systems across developed nations. She noted that AI has facilitated judicial work in some countries, but India remains cautious about fully integrating AI into its judiciary. A highlight of the event was the rapid-fire round, where Justice Singh shared candid insights on various legal and societal issues. He described modern women as 'Great,' endorsed granting legal personhood to nature, and speculated that LGBTQ+ marriages may be legalized in the future. However, he firmly rejected the idea of replacing judicial functions with AI and expressed skepticism about AI's role as a legal assistant.

The session provided a stimulating platform for students to explore the intersection of law and technology with a distinguished legal expert. Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University remains committed to fostering such meaningful discussions that prepare future legal professionals for emerging challenges in the legal landscape.