AI Adoption in Regulated Industries Demands New Legal Skills, Experts Say at LEXVOLVE’26

Manipal Law School (MLS), a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, hosted its inaugural annual law conference, LEXVOLVE’26, at the MAHE Bengaluru campus. A key focus was the gap between what artificial intelligence (AI) technologies promise and the legal and regulatory requirements businesses must meet. Experts highlighted the need to equip future lawyers with the skills to understand emerging technologies, assess legal risks and help businesses adopt AI responsibly.

Organised by the Corporate Engagement & Placement Cell of Manipal Law School, the conference centred on the theme “Reimagining the Legal Profession in a Changing World.” The event brought together around 500 students, academics, legal professionals, corporate legal heads and data privacy experts. Experts examined how AI is changing the work of lawyers, particularly in sectors such as banking and financial services, where strict regulations apply. They highlighted the importance of understanding technology, business operations and the risks associated with AI, alongside traditional legal knowledge.

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Inaugurating the conference, L. Viswanathan, Senior Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, emphasised the importance of building public trust alongside technological progress. He highlighted the need for strong legal safeguards and responsible institutions to ensure that new technologies are used in ways that protect people and businesses.

Prof. Sarasu Esther Thomas, Director, Manipal Law School, MAHE Bengaluru, highlighted the importance of preparing students for the changing demands of the legal profession and said, “As technology becomes an integral part of business and legal practice, lawyers need to understand not just the law, but also how emerging technologies work and the challenges they create. At Manipal Law School, we are working to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations by bringing real-world challenges and professional expertise into legal education. Initiatives like LEXVOLVE help students develop the practical skills, critical thinking and professional judgement needed to navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape.”

The conference featured four expert-led panels on cross-border banking transactions, artificial intelligence and the changing legal profession, dispute resolution, and data protection. Professionals from Aarna Law, Angel One Group, Anicut Capital, Chadha & Chadha, Chakra Legal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Dentons Link Legal, DSK Legal, Dua Associates, Gogi & Gogi, LTIMindtree, NoBroker, Trilegal and Zepto participated in the discussions.

A key concern emerging from the conference was the widening gap between the promises of AI technology and the strict legal requirements of industries such as banking and financial services. Experts cautioned that faster decision-making and automation cannot come at the cost of data security, accountability and legal compliance. As AI increasingly enters business operations and legal practice, lawyers will need to play a greater role in identifying technological risks and ensuring responsible adoption. The discussions highlighted that while AI can improve efficiency, human judgement and legal expertise remain critical.

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Data privacy emerged as another pressing challenge, with experts warning that obtaining consent alone is not enough to protect personal information. Discussions on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act highlighted the need for businesses to clearly explain how data is used, track its movement across departments and external service providers, and respect individuals’ decisions to withdraw consent. Sessions on international business transactions and dispute resolution also examined the growing complexity of cross-border regulations and commercial risks. Together, these discussions underscored the need for future lawyers to combine legal knowledge with technological understanding and practical business skills.

Interactive sessions allowed students to engage directly with legal professionals on emerging career opportunities and changing industry expectations. The discussions highlighted career paths beyond traditional courtroom practice, including corporate law, technology law, data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Building on the conference, further industry-academia engagements may include workshops, interactive sessions and training programmes led by legal practitioners. These proposed initiatives aim to connect classroom learning with practical experience and help students develop skills relevant to the legal profession.

LEXVOLVE’26 highlighted how the role of lawyers is expanding beyond interpreting laws to helping businesses understand and manage the risks of new technologies. By bringing leading legal professionals and industry experts into the academic environment, MLS–MAHE Bengaluru aims to prepare graduates who can combine legal knowledge with an understanding of technology and business. This approach will help future lawyers support innovation while ensuring that organisations remain accountable, follow the law and protect the interests of society.