The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies is changing the nature of legal work, creating a need for law graduates to prepare for careers beyond traditional legal practice, Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 2026 batch of Government Law College in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan said legal education must keep pace with technological developments so that future professionals can understand and respond to new legal challenges.
AI Creates New Legal Challenges
According to the Chief Minister, developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing and biotechnology are bringing significant changes to the legal sector. As technology becomes more deeply integrated into different areas, lawyers are also likely to encounter legal questions that traditional courses may not fully address.
Satheesan particularly pointed to issues related to copyright and intellectual property rights emerging from the increased use of AI. Technology-related disputes are also growing in areas such as piracy in the film industry, he said.
He stressed that legal education should evolve alongside these changes. The objective, he said, should be to prepare students to identify emerging legal problems and deal with them within the existing legal and constitutional framework.
Legal Careers Could Expand Beyond Litigation
The changing nature of the profession could also widen the career options available to law graduates. Satheesan said students should not assume that completing a law degree necessarily means limiting themselves to courtroom practice.
There is an increasing requirement for legal professionals in government departments, corporate institutions and other sectors, he said. Exploring newer areas of law in response to technological and social changes could therefore give graduates access to a wider range of professional opportunities.
The remarks come at a time when technology is increasingly becoming part of professional and institutional decision-making, making knowledge of emerging legal issues important for the next generation of lawyers.
Kerala Looks At Maritime Law Opportunities
Satheesan also highlighted another area that could create opportunities for legal professionals in Kerala-maritime law.
With the state pursuing development aimed at strengthening its position as a major port hub, he said Kerala should build facilities for studying maritime law. He also suggested examining the possibility of establishing a court with admiralty jurisdiction in the state, along the lines of the court functioning in Bombay.
The Chief Minister further described law as a “living law”, arguing that legislation and regulations need to change as social and economic conditions evolve. He also stressed the importance of constitutional awareness among law students and urged them to keep the country’s legal and constitutional framework in mind while speaking, thinking and acting.
At the graduation ceremony, Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said access to justice is a constitutional right and called on the new generation of legal professionals to work towards ensuring that people can exercise that right without unnecessary delays.
