Is the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation the Future of AI Governance in India?

Mumbai/Sonipat, May 5 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking initiative, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Cyril Shroff, and O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) have unveiled the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), which is recognized as India's leading law institution. This Centre has been made possible through the generous contribution of Cyril Shroff, the Founder & Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM), a top law firm in India, aimed at shaping India's leadership in AI governance and policy.

The establishment of this Centre marks a significant milestone as it is India’s first dedicated Centre of Excellence focusing on the intricate intersections of AI, law, policy, and regulation.

As a rapidly evolving digital economy, India faces pressing challenges in tackling the ethical, legal, and policy aspects of AI implementation. The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation is designed to address these challenges by conducting thorough research, fostering knowledge creation, shaping public policy, and driving capacity-building efforts.

The Centre will engage with various stakeholders, including legal institutions, governmental bodies, think-tanks, corporations, and academia to develop responsive AI governance frameworks both within India and globally.

Its vision is to serve as a hub for excellence in creating collaborative ethical frameworks for AI and technology alongside policymakers and regulators.

The Centre has set forth ten key objectives to guide its mission, which include:

• Research and Knowledge Creation: Generating pioneering research on AI regulation, ethics, governance, and liability.
• Policy Formulation and Advisory: Providing expert policy recommendations to both Indian and global regulatory authorities.
• AI and Law Curriculum Development: Crafting new courses on AI and law, along with executive education programs tailored for legal professionals and corporate leaders.
• Multistakeholder Engagement: Building partnerships with industry, government, and civil society in AI governance.
• Global AI Governance and Ethics: Contributing to international dialogues on AI law and collaborating with organizations such as the OECD, UN, and G20 AI initiatives.
• AI and Human Rights: Exploring the effects of AI on fundamental rights and proposing ethical AI regulatory frameworks.
• Legal Tech and AI Regulation: Investigating how AI is reshaping legal practices and exploring AI-enhanced legal tools.
• Litigation, Liability, and AI-driven Risks: Tackling emerging legal questions related to AI accountability and product liability.
• AI and Financial Regulation: Evaluating AI's impact on financial sectors and developing regulatory policies.
• Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Hosting lectures and training sessions to improve public knowledge on AI.

Cyril Shroff, a distinguished third-generation lawyer with over 40 years of experience, has a profound commitment to ethical technological progress. He has successfully integrated technology into his firm, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in legal processes.

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is set to mark its tenth anniversary in 2025, building upon a legacy that spans 108 years. This decade has seen remarkable growth and respect, with a focus on the future and championing technological advancement.

Shroff's contributions have cultivated an innovative culture at CAM, epitomized by the establishment of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at JGLS.

Expressing his commitment to the ethical growth of society through technology, Cyril Shroff stated, “Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept; it is already an integral part of our lives. India has the potential to lead in developing ethical frameworks for AI governance. I am thrilled to support the establishment of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation at Jindal Global Law School. This Centre will serve as a platform for innovative research and policy dialogue, helping India build a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI.”

Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, remarked, “This is a historic moment for JGU and for legal education in India. The Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation will spearhead efforts to understand and regulate the profound effects of AI on our societies. We are immensely grateful to Cyril Shroff for his visionary support, which will enhance India’s capacity for leadership in AI governance and set new benchmarks for global research and policy.”

As India's leading law school, ranked among the world's top 100, JGLS boasts a strong foundation for the Centre, characterized by global excellence and multidisciplinary depth. To achieve its mission, the Centre will form robust partnerships with Indian agencies like NITI Aayog and global regulators including the OECD and EU AI Act institutions.

The Centre's five-year strategic vision encompasses a range of interdisciplinary research projects, AI-integrated law courses, and executive training programs, aiming to craft an AI ethics framework for India and provide impactful recommendations to regulatory bodies.

With a clear mandate and substantial investment, the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law & Regulation is set to emerge as a pivotal hub for research, education, and policy development, steering India’s leadership in AI governance and contributing to global discussions on ethics, law, and regulation.