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International Bar Association Launches AI Institute to Promote Responsible Governance
On 8 June 2026, the International Bar Association (IBA) unveiled its new Artificial Intelligence Institute, appointing Dr Farzana Dudhwala as its first director. The initiative aims to shape responsible AI governance through global collaboration and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Founded in 1947, the IBA is the world’s leading network for legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. By 2018 it represented more than 80,000 lawyers and 190 member bodies, positioning it to tackle the legal, societal, economic and democratic challenges that accompany rapid AI advancement.
The Institute’s mandate is to bring together experts from law, technology, public policy, academia, civil society and industry. It will address algorithmic accountability, access to justice, democratic resilience, privacy, intellectual property, labour transformation and cross‑border regulatory coordination, and will contribute legal insight to existing international AI forums to help craft practical, human‑centred and globally inclusive governance frameworks.
A central focus of the launch is the inclusion of under‑represented jurisdictions. The IBA stressed that these regions must have a meaningful voice in global AI debates rather than simply adopting externally derived frameworks. The Institute will support dialogue and capacity‑building efforts designed to narrow governance gaps and ensure that AI regulation reflects diverse legal traditions, economic realities and societal needs.
In a joint statement, former IBA President Jaime Carey and current President Claudio Visco warned that AI will reshape economies, societies, democratic institutions and the administration of justice for generations. They emphasized that no single profession, sector, company or country can tackle AI challenges alone, and that the Institute will be a truly global and interdisciplinary endeavour.
Dr Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, added that the Institute is meant to connect legal systems, businesses and societies. He said that Dr Dudhwala was the "best fit" for the role because of her cutting‑edge expertise.
Dr Dudhwala brings more than 15 years of experience in AI policy, governance and societal impacts across academia, government and industry. Her most recent position was Global AI Policy & Governance Lead at Meta, where she directed work on frontier AI safety policy, evaluations, benchmarking, international governance and policy development for Meta’s Fundamental AI Research organisation. Prior to that she served the United Kingdom government on AI strategy at the Government Office for Artificial Intelligence and led the AI Futures team within the UK government’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation. She holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford.
In her statement on the appointment, Dr Dudhwala said that AI governance is a defining challenge of the era, determining who benefits, who bears the risks and whether the rule of law can keep pace with technological change. She highlighted the IBA’s global reach as uniquely positioned to convene cross‑border dialogue.
The IBA AI Institute will operate alongside existing IBA committees that provide guidance on AI in specific practice areas. Its work will be distinct from those committees but will complement them.
The launch was announced from the IBA’s headquarters in London, with the Institute’s website and press release available at www.ibanet.org/IBA-launches-its-Artificial-Intelligence-Institute-to-advance-responsible-AI-governance-and-inclusive-international-cooperation.
The Institute’s objectives include: Contributing legal expertise to the global AI dialogue. Supporting the shaping of future AI governance frameworks. Promoting AI systems that align with the rule of law, human rights and democratic integrity. Supporting the work of international organisations.
The IBA’s statement emphasized that the Institute will be a leading international forum for practical and principled engagement on AI governance.
The IBA AI Institute is expected to engage a broad range of stakeholders—technologists, governments, policymakers, civil society, research institutions and industry leaders—as it seeks to build inclusive, responsible AI governance structures.
The Institute’s launch marks a significant step for the IBA as it expands its influence beyond traditional legal practice into the emerging field of AI regulation.
The IBA will continue to develop guidance through its existing committees while the Institute focuses on broader, interdisciplinary collaboration and international dialogue.
The launch of the IBA AI Institute reflects growing recognition that AI governance requires coordinated effort across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. Its work will likely influence future policy discussions, regulatory frameworks and industry practices.
The IBA has provided contact information for further inquiries: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org.
The IBA AI Institute is now operational and will begin its work in the coming months.
Founded in 1947, the IBA is the world’s leading network for legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. By 2018 it represented more than 80,000 lawyers and 190 member bodies, positioning it to tackle the legal, societal, economic and democratic challenges that accompany rapid AI advancement.
The Institute’s mandate is to bring together experts from law, technology, public policy, academia, civil society and industry. It will address algorithmic accountability, access to justice, democratic resilience, privacy, intellectual property, labour transformation and cross‑border regulatory coordination, and will contribute legal insight to existing international AI forums to help craft practical, human‑centred and globally inclusive governance frameworks.
A central focus of the launch is the inclusion of under‑represented jurisdictions. The IBA stressed that these regions must have a meaningful voice in global AI debates rather than simply adopting externally derived frameworks. The Institute will support dialogue and capacity‑building efforts designed to narrow governance gaps and ensure that AI regulation reflects diverse legal traditions, economic realities and societal needs.
In a joint statement, former IBA President Jaime Carey and current President Claudio Visco warned that AI will reshape economies, societies, democratic institutions and the administration of justice for generations. They emphasized that no single profession, sector, company or country can tackle AI challenges alone, and that the Institute will be a truly global and interdisciplinary endeavour.
Dr Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, added that the Institute is meant to connect legal systems, businesses and societies. He said that Dr Dudhwala was the "best fit" for the role because of her cutting‑edge expertise.
Dr Dudhwala brings more than 15 years of experience in AI policy, governance and societal impacts across academia, government and industry. Her most recent position was Global AI Policy & Governance Lead at Meta, where she directed work on frontier AI safety policy, evaluations, benchmarking, international governance and policy development for Meta’s Fundamental AI Research organisation. Prior to that she served the United Kingdom government on AI strategy at the Government Office for Artificial Intelligence and led the AI Futures team within the UK government’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation. She holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford.
In her statement on the appointment, Dr Dudhwala said that AI governance is a defining challenge of the era, determining who benefits, who bears the risks and whether the rule of law can keep pace with technological change. She highlighted the IBA’s global reach as uniquely positioned to convene cross‑border dialogue.
The IBA AI Institute will operate alongside existing IBA committees that provide guidance on AI in specific practice areas. Its work will be distinct from those committees but will complement them.
The launch was announced from the IBA’s headquarters in London, with the Institute’s website and press release available at www.ibanet.org/IBA-launches-its-Artificial-Intelligence-Institute-to-advance-responsible-AI-governance-and-inclusive-international-cooperation.
The Institute’s objectives include: Contributing legal expertise to the global AI dialogue. Supporting the shaping of future AI governance frameworks. Promoting AI systems that align with the rule of law, human rights and democratic integrity. Supporting the work of international organisations.
The IBA’s statement emphasized that the Institute will be a leading international forum for practical and principled engagement on AI governance.
The IBA AI Institute is expected to engage a broad range of stakeholders—technologists, governments, policymakers, civil society, research institutions and industry leaders—as it seeks to build inclusive, responsible AI governance structures.
The Institute’s launch marks a significant step for the IBA as it expands its influence beyond traditional legal practice into the emerging field of AI regulation.
The IBA will continue to develop guidance through its existing committees while the Institute focuses on broader, interdisciplinary collaboration and international dialogue.
The launch of the IBA AI Institute reflects growing recognition that AI governance requires coordinated effort across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. Its work will likely influence future policy discussions, regulatory frameworks and industry practices.
The IBA has provided contact information for further inquiries: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org.
The IBA AI Institute is now operational and will begin its work in the coming months.
