The International Bar Association launched the IBA AI Institute on June 8, 2026, to address the legal and societal challenges of artificial intelligence.

This new initiative aims to promote responsible governance through international cooperation and interdisciplinary expertise. Former IBA President Jaime Carey and current President Claudio Visco established the institute to align technology with the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the organization plans to use its global network of over 80,000 lawyers and 190 bar associations to support this mission.

Establishment of the IBA AI Institute

The institute focuses on promoting collaboration across different sectors, including technology, government, and civil society. Consequently, it will engage with diverse stakeholders to inform the development of human-centred governance frameworks.

Furthermore, the initiative seeks to contribute legal expertise to existing international forums. This involvement will help address issues such as algorithmic accountability, privacy, and intellectual property in the cybersecurity sector.

Global Network and Interdisciplinary Focus

The organization believes that perspectives from underrepresented jurisdictions must be included in global discussions. Therefore, the institute will support dialogue and capacity-building initiatives to reduce governance inequalities between different regions.

Specifically, the institute aims to ensure that governance frameworks reflect diverse legal traditions and economic realities. This approach will help prevent underrepresented countries from simply inheriting frameworks developed elsewhere.

Leadership and Expertise

Dr. Farzana Dudhwala will serve as the first Director of the institute, bringing over 15 years of experience in technology policy. Previously, she worked as the Global AI Policy and Governance Lead at Meta, where she managed safety policies.

In addition, Dr. Dudhwala worked for the United Kingdom government on national strategy at the Government Office for Artificial Intelligence. She holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford focused on data-driven technologies and their societal impacts.

Future Objectives and Global Dialogue

The primary goals of the IBA AI Institute include contributing legal expertise to global dialogues and supporting future governance frameworks. Additionally, the institute will facilitate the exchange of knowledge among key stakeholders.

In a joint statement, Jaime Carey and Claudio Visco stated that artificial intelligence will shape economies and the administration of justice. However, they noted that no single profession or country can address these challenges alone. Consequently, the organization will maintain a separate approach where existing committees continue to provide guidance for their specific practice areas.

Dr. Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, stated that the pace of technological development requires organizations that can connect legal systems and societies. As a result, the institute will work in collaboration with other entities to ensure technology serves humanity fairly.

“AI governance is therefore one of the defining challenges of our time, shaping not only how these technologies are built, but who benefits.”

Dr. Farzana Dudhwala, Director of the IBA AI Institute