London: A public lecture delivered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant at Birkbeck College, University of London, witnessed a brief interruption when a member of the audience attempted to raise a question regarding the alleged suppression of dissent in India.

The event, centred on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and International Law”, featured CJI Surya Kant as the keynote speaker during his ongoing six-day visit to the United Kingdom. The interaction drew attention after a moderator declined to entertain a question that was deemed unrelated to the lecture’s subject matter.

The incident occurred during the question-and-answer session following the address, where attendees were invited to engage with the speaker on issues related to artificial intelligence, law and governance.

Moderator stops question on dissent

During the session, an audience member sought to ask a question concerning what she described as growing hostility towards dissent in India and whether it reflected on the country’s democratic credentials.

Before the question could be fully addressed, the moderator intervened and stated that the event was specifically focused on “Artificial Intelligence and International Law” and therefore the question could not be accommodated.

The moderator apologised and reiterated that the discussion needed to remain within the scope of the lecture topic. Despite repeated attempts by the audience member to continue, the moderator again expressed regret and requested that the discussion move forward.

When the participant persisted, the moderator eventually stated that the question would have to be cut off, bringing the exchange to an end.

The moment was brief but attracted attention due to the nature of the question and the moderator’s decision to restrict the discussion to the designated theme of the event.

CJI highlights AI’s growing influence on society

In his lecture, CJI Surya Kant focused extensively on the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence in the modern world.

He stated that artificial intelligence is no longer a speculative concept but has become an operational reality influencing governance, commerce, public administration, communication, warfare and judicial systems.

According to the Chief Justice, AI represents one of the most significant tests for international law in contemporary times.

He emphasised that technology itself is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful and that its impact depends on the legal, political and ethical frameworks within which it operates.

“The responsibility of law is neither to resist technological progress nor to surrender unquestioningly before it,” he said, stressing the importance of accountability, constitutional values and human dignity.

AI creating new legal challenges

The Chief Justice noted that AI increasingly participates in decision-making processes that were once considered uniquely human.

He pointed out that governments across the world are using algorithmic systems for welfare distribution, immigration processing, financial regulation, border management and policing functions.

At the same time, militaries are developing autonomous technologies while courts are beginning to deal with issues involving AI-generated evidence, automated decisions and digital due process.

He also highlighted the growing influence of private technology companies, some of which possess information-gathering capabilities that rival those of sovereign states.

According to him, the rapid evolution of AI requires international legal systems to adapt to entirely new forms of power and governance.

Questions over sovereignty and international law

A significant portion of the lecture focused on whether existing international legal frameworks are capable of regulating artificial intelligence effectively.

CJI Surya Kant questioned whether foundational principles such as sovereignty, human rights and enforcement mechanisms could adapt to the realities created by AI-powered systems.

He argued that traditional international law has largely been built around territorial boundaries, while AI systems operate through globally interconnected digital infrastructures that often transcend national borders.

A single AI model, he noted, may be trained using data collected in multiple countries, processed in another jurisdiction and deployed worldwide, creating complex legal and regulatory challenges.

This interconnected nature of AI raises questions about accountability, jurisdiction and responsibility in an increasingly digital world.

AI can strengthen justice delivery

While discussing risks associated with artificial intelligence, the Chief Justice also highlighted its potential benefits for judicial systems.

He said courts around the world are already using AI-assisted tools for legal research, document classification, case management, translation services and transcription of proceedings.

When used responsibly and under human supervision, these technologies can help reduce delays, improve efficiency and increase access to justice, he said.

The Chief Justice stressed that AI should not be viewed solely as a legal challenge but also as a powerful tool capable of advancing the constitutional promise of accessible and timely justice.

Call for global cooperation

Concluding his address, CJI Surya Kant emphasised the need for collaboration between governments, courts, universities and civil society organisations in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

He warned that accountability could become increasingly difficult if responsibility for AI-driven decisions becomes too fragmented.

The challenge facing the international community, he said, is not merely regulating technology but ensuring that legal responsibility remains identifiable and enforceable in an era of algorithmic decision-making.

Conclusion

While a brief exchange during the question-and-answer session drew attention, the central focus of CJI Surya Kant’s London lecture remained the growing influence of artificial intelligence on law, governance and global institutions. The Chief Justice underscored the need for legal systems to evolve alongside technological advancements while ensuring that accountability, human dignity and democratic values remain at the centre of future AI governance.