The Centre for Disability Law and Advocacy (CDLA) at National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is set to host a two-day international conference titled “Law, Technology and Inclusive Futures: Rethinking Vulnerability in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation” on September 26 and 27, 2026.
The event will examine how the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven governance has opened up new possibilities in healthcare, education and access to justice, but also widened existing inequalities and created fresh vulnerabilities for groups such as persons with disabilities, children, women, older persons, indigenous communities, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ persons and other socio-economically disadvantaged sections.
Conference Themes and Speakers
Deliberations at the conference will be organised across ten thematic tracks, covering areas such as law, technology and disability justice; children, youth and technology; women, gender and technology; ageing and elder rights; indigenous communities and digital justice; artificial intelligence and human rights; health and digital vulnerability; cyber law and digital governance; climate change and disaster technology; and access to justice through inclusive innovation.
The event will bring together an international line-up of speakers, including Prof. David J. Brown of Nottingham Trent University, Prof. Partha S. Mohapatra of California State University, Sacramento, and Prof. Viktoriia Savina of North-Caucasus Federal University, Moscow.
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National speakers on the panel include Prof. Amita Dhanda, Professor Emerita at NALSAR, Prof. (Dr.) V.K. Ahuja, Director of the Indian Law Institute, and Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti J. Mozika, Vice Chancellor of NLU Meghalaya.
Organisation and Registration
Prof. (Dr.) K. Vidyullatha Reddy, Vice Chancellor, NLUO, will serve as Chief Patron of the conference, with Smt. Bratati Harichandan, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Odisha, attending as Chief Guest.
Scholars and practitioners interested in presenting papers are required to submit abstracts of 300 to 400 words, along with a minimum of five keywords, by September 3, 2026.
Registration fees have been fixed at Rs. 700 (online) and Rs. 1,000 (offline) for NLUO students, research scholars, faculty and staff; Rs. 1,000 (online) and Rs. 2,000 (offline) for other students, research scholars, academicians and professionals; and USD 30 (online) and USD 50 (offline) for international paper presenters.
For more information, details and submission links are available through the Centre for Disability Law and Advocacy, which can be reached at [email protected].
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In practice, this development is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities, as it aims to address the existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in the digital age.
The conference is a step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment, where technology can be used to empower and enable individuals, rather than exacerbate existing inequalities.
As the conference brings together experts and scholars from around the world, it is likely to provide a platform for meaningful discussions and exchanges of ideas, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and just society.
Further details about the conference, including the programme and registration process, can be found on the Centre for Disability Law and Advocacy website.