Have you ever wondered whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can truly coexist with traditional legal principles? This thought-provoking question was the driving force behind the panel discussion on “Traditional Law & Artificial Intelligence: A Path to Sustainable Development,” organised recently by the Department of Legal Studies of NSBM Green University.

The event brought together academia and industry experts to explore the intersection between time-honoured legal doctrines and rapidly advancing AI technologies. The distinguished panel included Prof. Sanath Wijesinghe, Head of the Department of Legal Studies of the Open University of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Mahela Liyanage, Regional Head of Legal at Daraz, while the session was skillfully moderated by Prof. Shanthi Segarajasingham, Head of the Department of Legal Studies, NSBM.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Segarajasingham highlighted the enduring value of traditional legal concepts such as fairness, justice, and mutual obligations in contracts—principles that continue to guide ethical decision-making even in an AI-driven world.

Prof. Wijesinghe provided insightful commentary from the perspective of Intellectual Property Law, emphasising that IP rights are currently granted only to human creators. He analyzed the landmark Stephen Thaler case, where global jurisdictions have taken differing views on whether AI systems can be recognised as inventors. His remarks also addressed contemporary challenges such as the misuse of AI tools like ChatGPT in academic contexts.

Bringing a corporate lens to the discussion, Mr. Liyanage examined whether AI should be regulated through soft law frameworks or rigid legislative measures. He elaborated on pressing real-world issues, including liability for damages caused by AI-operated vehicles and the evolving responsibility of corporate entities in an AI-integrated marketplace.

Adding a creative dimension to the event, the panel discussion was followed by a showcase of short video clips produced by the law students on the same theme. Out of 28 submissions, the best entries were shortlisted and presented during the session, reflecting the students’ innovative perspectives on the future of law and technology. The event concluded with an award ceremony recognising the participants’ outstanding contributions.

The initiative exemplified NSBM’s commitment to producing forward-thinking law graduates equipped to address emerging global challenges—balancing the wisdom of traditional laws with the demands of technological innovation.