IIT Jodhpur And NLU Jodhpur Conclude Second National Workshop On Law And Technology
The Second Edition of the National Workshop on Law & Technology concluded on 6th April 2025 at the National Law University, Jodhpur, marking two days of ground-breaking discussions at the intersection of law and technology. This collaborative initiative by IIT Jodhpur and National Law University (NLU) Jodhpur brought together leading experts from law, technology, policy, and industry to explore how legal frameworks can adapt to rapid technological advancements. Held on 5th - 6th April 2025, the event set a vibrant stage for interdisciplinary dialogue, culminating in a shared vision for a tech-enabled legal future.
Day 1 at IIT Jodhpur : Exploring AI, Cybersecurity, and IP in the Digital Era
The workshop opened with a session on AI-assisted decision-making in the Indian Justice System, where speakers examined the promise and perils of deploying artificial intelligence in legal contexts—from case summary automation to predictive policing. Moderated by Dr. Sherin Sabu (IIT Jodhpur) and Dr. Divya Kathuria (NLU Jodhpur), the session featured expert insights from Prof. (Dr.) Niraj Kumar (NLU Delhi), Prof. (Dr.) Asif Ekbal (IIT Jodhpur), and Dr. Saptarshi Ghosh (IIT Kharagpur).
A critical session on Cybersecurity in the Age of Emerging Technologies followed, focusing on the rise of cyber threats and the legal and technical frameworks needed to counter them. Moderated by Prof. Debasis Das (IIT Jodhpur) and faculty from NLU Jodhpur, the panel included Anand Pande (CISO, GSTN), Jyothi Ramaswamy (Global Cybersecurity Association), Adv. Subodh Joglekar (Mumbai High Court), and Prof. Shilohu Rao.
The final session of the day, moderated by Dr. Pran Banjara, tackled Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age, addressing challenges posed by generative AI and data ownership. Speakers included Dr. Ruchi Tiwari (Former Joint Controller of Patents & Designs), Dr. Abhinav Dixit (AIIMS Jodhpur), and Dr. Arunabha Banerjee (NLU Jodhpur).
Day 2: Legal-Ethical Imperatives in Fintech, Medtech, and Predictive Technologies
Held at NLU Jodhpur, Day 2 opened with a session on Fintech and Medtech – Steering the Legal and Ethical Landscape. Panellists from healthcare and finance discussed pressing concerns around privacy, compliance, and AI-driven diagnostics and transactions. Speakers included Dr. Vibhu Mendiratta (LHMC), Dr. Shilpi Gupta Dixit (AIIMS Jodhpur), Akhil Sharma (Razorpay), and Purushottam Anand (Crypto Legal), moderated by Dr. Manu Kanchan (IIT Jodhpur) and Ms. Sayantani Bagchi (NLU Jodhpur).
The session on Digital Transformation in the Indian Context explored the role of technology in governance, justice delivery, and digital inclusion. Speakers included Dr. Vinay Thakur (Spl DG, BiSAG-N), Jhalak Kakkar (NLU Delhi), Dr. Vivek Vijay (IIT Jodhpur), and Dr. Ajay Sharma (State Forensic Lab, Rajasthan) moderated by Dr. Sherin Sabu (IIT Jodhpur) and Prof. Shilohu Rao (NLU Jodhpur)
The concluding session, Legal Analytics and Predictive Policing in India, offered a glimpse into the future of law enforcement, where data-driven insights can aid in pre-emptive policing and judicial efficiency. Key speakers included Shri Hemant Priyadarshi, IPS (DGP, Cyber Crime, Rajasthan), Dr. Ashutosh Modi (IIT Kanpur), and Arushi Goel (Chainalysis, Dubai) moderated by Dr.Niranjan Prohit (NLU Jodhpur).
Key Announcements
In a landmark announcement, Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, unveiled plans for a joint Centre for Law and Technology with NLU Jodhpur, aimed at driving research and innovation at this critical nexus. He also introduced an upcoming Executive Master's Programme in Law and Technology, tailored to equip professionals with the expertise to thrive in an era where law and technology converge.
A significant development from the event was the joint decision by the heads of NLU Jodhpur and IIT Jodhpur to collaborate on a range of academic offerings. Shortly, both institutions will jointly offer Certificate Courses, diploma programs, and a Master's program in Law and Technology, catering to professionals from both legal and technological backgrounds.
Quotes
Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal: “The future of law cannot be imagined without technology, and vice versa. This workshop is a testament to the power of collaboration between legal and technical institutions in shaping a fair and just digital future.”
Dr. Harpreet Kaur: “We are at a pivotal moment where technology is not just a tool but a transformative force in the legal profession. It is imperative that we rethink our legal frameworks to ensure they remain relevant and effective in this new era.”
Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta: “The rapid pace of technological change demands that we have robust legal mechanisms in place to address issues like data protection, digital fraud, and algorithmic accountability. This workshop is a crucial step in that direction.”
Valedictory Session Conclusion
The workshop concluded with a resounding consensus: the future of law cannot be imagined without technology, and vice versa. As India enters a new phase of digital transformation, academic institutions like IIT Jodhpur and NLU Jodhpur are leading the way in preparing the next generation of thinkers, policymakers, and technologists to shape a fair, just, and future-ready legal ecosystem.
The valedictory session marked a powerful conclusion to the two-day event, blending reflection, vision, and gratitude. Mr. Hemant Priyadarshi, IPS, set an inspiring tone with a compelling Keynote Address, exploring the dynamic intersection of law and technology and its critical relevance in today's fast-evolving digital landscape.
Prof. Harpreet Kaur, Vice Chancellor of NLU Jodhpur, delivered a masterful summary of the workshop, weaving together key discussions on AI, cybersecurity, and digital governance while casting an insightful vision for the initiative's future. Following this, Prof. Avinash Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, highlighted the event's tangible outcomes and unveiled an ambitious roadmap for ongoing collaboration between the two institutions.
The session concluded with Prof. Shilohu Rao, Director of the Workshop, who articulated the broader vision fueling this collaboration and extended heartfelt thanks to all participants and stakeholders.