Sonipat, January 29 – In a compelling public lecture at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Chairperson of the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation, emphasized the pivotal role of innovation and ethics in reshaping India’s legal landscape amid global uncertainties.
Shroff opened with a powerful reflection on leadership and legacy, tying them to India’s national identity and constitutional values. ‘We have chosen the path of self-reliance and faith in our civilization and values,’ he declared. He highlighted India’s unique opportunity to forge a distinct identity rooted in the rule of law and unwavering commitment to these principles, even as the world grapples with turmoil.
Drawing attention to the erosion of constitutional institutions and declining respect for international law, Shroff underscored the critical functions of domestic laws, institutions, courts, and political processes. ‘India is a true democracy,’ he asserted. ‘It may have flaws, but it functions smoothly with working courts, making us a free society.’
He elaborated on how domestic institutions, backed by the Constitution, not only define India’s global standing and civilizational foundation but also shape its foreign relations. Despite 77 years of independence and an aging Constitution, India draws from a 2000-year-old civilization resilient against foreign invasions, preserving a core sense of identity.
Praising India’s Constitution as potentially the world’s finest, Shroff quoted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: it’s not just a lawyers’ document but a way of life. Amid global upheaval, this era demands transformation. Political freedom came in 1947, economic liberation in 1991, and now, adherence to key principles like rule of law and policy flexibility is essential for true independence.
Shroff stressed the importance of technology, sovereignty, and AI capabilities in a world divided into Western, Chinese, and Russian spheres of influence. This vision led him to establish the Cyril Shroff Centre. Looking to 2047, he envisioned a developed India where the legal profession modernizes through career tracks and inclusive partnerships, as pioneered by his firm.
AI is revolutionizing legal work, introducing new laws, regulations, and innovative mindsets. Key forward paths include ethics as a professional cornerstone, using technology for swift dispute resolution, administrative innovations in justice delivery, and improving access to justice. India lags in true innovation due to gaps between education, private sector, and government.
Paridhi Adani, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, highlighted the centre’s collaborative potential in technology-law intersections. JGU’s Founder Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar welcomed Shroff, noting his transformative impact on the legal profession and the enduring partnership birthing the centre.
Shroff advocated for gender balance in law, with his firm boasting over two-thirds women employees in leadership roles. He urged young lawyers to modernize the profession for India’s rise as a global economic leader. Core ideas included AI-law-regulation linkages, global AI governance beyond borders, and multidisciplinary collaboration for ethical, legal challenges.
