The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has marked another defining milestone in its 20th Anniversary year with the official launch of the AI and the Law Institute, a pioneering initiative that positions the University at the forefront of Africa’s legal, ethical, and technological transformation. Unveiled at a prestigious ceremony at the UJ Arts Centre on the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus on Friday, 17 October 2025, the Institute highlights UJ’s commitment to advancing responsible innovation and shaping the legal frameworks that will govern Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the years to come.

Speaking ahead of the launch, UJ’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, described the establishment of the Institute as a project deeply personal to him,  one rooted in both passion and purpose.

“Today, our Faculty of Law is launching the AI and the Law Institute, a project close to my heart. I have long been passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence and the law, having written extensively on the subject across various platforms. Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, on a book titled Artificial Intelligence and the Law (Springer, 2024), and we are also finalising another forthcoming publication, Artificial Intelligence and Employment Law,” said Prof Mpedi.

He added that the establishment of the Institute “marks another pivotal moment for UJ, as it seeks to advance responsible and ethical innovation where technology, justice, and human dignity converge.”

The AI and the Law Institute is designed to address global challenges arising from rapid technological transformation, focusing on the creation of robust legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks for Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. Through the Institute, UJ aims to lead continental discourse on the regulation of AI within constitutional and human rights frameworks, the ethical and transparent deployment of algorithms, legal education reform to equip future lawyers with AI fluency, and the development of policies that ensure technology serves justice and societal good.

The launch brought together leading academics, legal practitioners, policymakers, and industry experts, reaffirming UJ’s reputation as a continental hub for legal innovation and governance in emerging technologies. Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo gave the keynote address, focusing on existing interpretations of the law, and how this centre will be a welcome addition to the arena.

A distinguished legal scholar and NRF-rated researcher, Prof Mpedi’s career has been defined by his exploration of how law evolves alongside societal and technological change. With qualifications in Labour and Mercantile Law, he has authored numerous academic works and participated in global dialogues on digital transformation and legal ethics.

His collaboration with Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, former UJ Vice-Chancellor and now Rector of the United Nations University, exemplifies the University’s ongoing contribution to global thought leadership. Their joint publications on Artificial Intelligence and the Law and Artificial Intelligence and Employment Law situate UJ at the forefront of international AI legal scholarship.

Prof Mpedi’s leadership extends beyond academia. His completion of executive programmes at Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, including Leading in Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Technology and Policy, reflects his long-term investment in ensuring Africa’s legal and policy frameworks remain relevant in a digital future.

Through the new Institute, UJ will advance interdisciplinary research that bridges law, ethics, and technology while offering innovative academic programmes that prepare students to navigate AI’s legal implications. It will also collaborate with policymakers to shape equitable and contextually relevant AI regulations and foster public dialogue on fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.

This initiative builds on UJ’s broader Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) strategy, which integrates digital transformation across disciplines — from health sciences and engineering to humanities and law, ensuring that innovation is always guided by ethical reflection.

In closing, Prof Mpedi reflected that the Institute’s launch is not merely an academic milestone but a societal imperative. “In this era, our responsibility extends beyond treating AI as a technological tool, it is a field demanding legal imagination, ethical rigour, and a commitment to justice. Through this Institute, UJ is not just responding to global change; we are shaping it for Africa and the world.”

Watch the launch event below: