The Department of Postgraduate Studies in Law (LL.M) at St. Joseph's College of Law organized a highly informative one-day seminar titled “Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Rights” on 13th December 2024. The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including students, faculty, and guests, both from SJCL and beyond, along with online participants. The seminar aimed to explore the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its intersection with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), offering valuable insights from experts in the field.

The event commenced with offline registrations at 8:40 AM, followed by a formal welcome from the emcee and an inaugural performance by the college choir team. The official inauguration took place with the presence of Director Rev. Fr. Jerald D’Souza SJ, Principal Dr. Pauline Priya, Faculty Coordinators Dr. Shreshth Bhatnagar, Dr. Sukriti Yagyasen, Ms. Lincy Joykutty, and Student Coordinators Ms. Varsha S and Ms. Bhuvana S. A symbolic gesture of watering plants marked the inauguration, signifying growth and sustainability.

Director Rev. Fr. Jerald D’Souza SJ opened the seminar with an address, highlighting the transformative impact of AI across industries. He acknowledged the increasing dependence on AI tools such as ChatGPT and their influence on productivity and critical thinking. Dr. Pauline Priya, Principal of the college, followed with a compelling speech that explored the transformative role of AI in the legal landscape, particularly in the realm of IPR. She emphasized how AI is not only reshaping the way legal systems function but also presenting novel challenges and opportunities for legal practitioners.

The first keynote session was delivered by Dr. Raghavender GR, Senior Consultant at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India. Joining the event online, Dr. Raghavender spoke on the evolution of AI, its applications in government systems, and its potential to simplify processes for citizens. He underscored the significance of AI platforms and machine learning in both personal and professional contexts. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A where participants, both online and offline, asked insightful questions.

The second session, led by Mr. Gaurav Sahay, Practice Head of Technology and General Corporate at Fox Mandal & Associates, Bengaluru, focused on the emerging challenges surrounding AI creator liability and its effects on IPR. Mr. Sahay encouraged a lively discussion on the potential legal implications of AI's use by creators and consumers. After the session, the audience engaged in another Q&A segment before the speaker was felicitated.

The third session was conducted by Mr. S. Chakravarthy Naik, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the IPR Cell at Alliance University, Bengaluru. Mr. Naik provided an in-depth exploration of the various types of IPR and how AI plays a significant role in both fostering and disrupting the field. This session also concluded with a Q&A, followed by the felicitation of the speaker.

The seminar wrapped up with a formal valedictory ceremony, which featured the release of a publication titled "National Conference on Environmental Law: Issues and Emerging Challenges," a compilation of selected papers from the previous year’s conference. The event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem and a group photograph of participants, speakers, and the organizing committee.

Overall, the seminar was a resounding success, providing an excellent platform for participants to engage in discussions about the impact of AI on Intellectual Property Rights. The insightful sessions, active participation, and the combination of offline and online attendees made the event a memorable and enriching experience for all involved.