In an exclusive interview with Harita Mehta, Senior Advocate practising before the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India, we explore how the country’s legal system is responding to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
From data privacy and digital rights to cybercrime, access to justice and the evolving responsibilities of legal professionals, the conversation examines the pressing challenges shaping India’s legal landscape.
Harita Mehta also shares her perspectives on strengthening legal awareness, ensuring accountability in the digital age and preparing the next generation of lawyers for emerging areas of practice.
1. How is the Indian legal system adapting to the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies?
India is gradually adapting its legal framework to address the opportunities and risks created by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The focus is on balancing innovation with accountability, individual rights, and public safety. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, provide an important framework for protecting personal data and regulating its use. India’s AI Governance Guidelines also reflect an effort to encourage responsible and inclusive AI adoption.
However, technology is evolving faster than legislation can always respond. Questions surrounding AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, algorithmic bias, intellectual property, and liability for automated decisions require continued attention. The challenge is not simply to introduce new laws, but to ensure that existing legal principles remain effective in a digital environment. A combination of clear regulation, judicial interpretation, technological safeguards and public awareness will be essential to building a legal system that supports innovation while protecting citizens.
2. As a Senior Advocate practising before the High Court and Supreme Court, what are the emerging legal challenges you believe India needs to address?
One of the most pressing challenges is ensuring that access to justice keeps pace with social, economic and technological change. Cybercrime, digital fraud, misuse of personal information and disputes involving emerging technologies are creating new complexities for individuals, businesses and legal institutions.
Another important concern is the gap between having legal protections and being able to access effective remedies. Many citizens remain unaware of their rights or face practical barriers when seeking legal assistance. Delays in dispute resolution and the cost of litigation also continue to affect access to justice.
India must strengthen institutional capacity, improve legal awareness and make dispute-resolution mechanisms more accessible. At the same time, emerging areas such as technology law, data protection and digital evidence require specialised legal expertise. The objective should be a system that is not only responsive to new challenges but also consistent, transparent and accessible to every citizen.
3. What are the biggest legal challenges surrounding data privacy and digital rights in India?
The central challenge is balancing the growing use of personal data with an individual’s right to privacy and control over their information. Digital platforms routinely process personal information, often through complex systems that users may not fully understand. This raises concerns about meaningful consent, data security, unauthorised sharing and the consequences of data breaches.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Rules notified in 2025 represent important steps towards establishing clearer responsibilities for organisations handling digital personal data. However, effective implementation, awareness and accountability will determine how meaningfully these protections translate into practice.
Artificial intelligence adds another layer of complexity because personal information may be used to train models, generate predictions or influence decisions. Deepfakes and identity misuse further complicate the protection of digital rights. India must continue to strengthen enforcement, improve transparency and ensure that individuals have accessible mechanisms to raise complaints and seek appropriate remedies. Privacy should be treated not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a fundamental consideration in the design and use of technology.
4. How can citizens become more aware of their basic legal rights and remedies?
Legal awareness must become part of everyday public education rather than something people seek only when they encounter a dispute. Citizens should have access to simple, reliable information about their constitutional rights, consumer protections, workplace rights, cybercrime remedies and available legal aid.
Schools, colleges, community organisations and digital platforms can play an important role in communicating legal information in accessible languages. Government institutions and legal professionals can contribute through awareness programmes, public consultations and practical guidance on common legal problems.
Citizens should also know where to seek assistance. District Legal Services Authorities and other legal services institutions can help eligible individuals access legal aid. In cases of cybercrime or online financial fraud, citizens should preserve relevant evidence and promptly approach the appropriate reporting and law-enforcement channels.
Ultimately, legal awareness is about enabling people to make informed decisions, recognise when their rights may have been violated and understand the steps available to protect themselves. A legally informed society is better equipped to prevent exploitation and participate confidently in democratic life.
5. What are some emerging areas of law that young lawyers should be preparing for?
Young lawyers should look beyond traditional areas of practice and prepare for the legal questions emerging from a rapidly changing economy and society. Technology and AI law, data protection, cybersecurity, intellectual property in the digital environment and electronic evidence are becoming increasingly relevant.
Environmental law, renewable energy regulation, corporate governance, insolvency, competition law and cross-border commercial disputes also offer significant opportunities as businesses and regulatory frameworks evolve. Healthcare regulation and fintech are other areas where technological innovation is creating complex legal questions.
However, specialisation must be built on strong fundamentals. Young lawyers need a sound understanding of statutory interpretation, constitutional principles, legal research, drafting and courtroom advocacy. They must also develop technological literacy and the ability to assess digital evidence critically.
The future of the profession will require lawyers who can combine legal reasoning with an understanding of emerging industries. Continuous learning, professional ethics and adaptability will be essential. Technology may change how legal services are delivered, but sound judgment, accountability and the ability to understand human concerns will remain central to effective legal practice.
