The Hon’ble Chief Justice of India delivered a distinguished public lecture on “Artificial Intelligence and International Law” at Birkbeck, University of London on 4 June 2026. The event brought together jurists, academicians, students, legal professionals, members of the diplomatic community, and the wider public for a discussion on one of the most significant legal challenges of the contemporary era.

Following the lecture, a question-and-answer session was conducted to facilitate academic engagement and scholarly discussion on the subject matter. During this session, certain individuals in the audience interrupted the proceedings and attempted to redirect the discussion toward unrelated political issues. These individuals also began recording the proceedings and subsequently engaged in sloganeering on matters entirely unconnected with the topic of the lecture.

In response, Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck, University of London, and Pragya Parijat Singh, who served as Master of Ceremonies, reminded attendees that the event was an academic forum dedicated to the discussion of artificial intelligence and international law and that questions should remain relevant to the subject under consideration. When the disruption continued, university officials intervened to restore order and ensure that the event proceeded in a respectful and constructive manner.

Despite the interruption, the lecture and the subsequent discussion were successfully concluded. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue on the legal, ethical, and regulatory implications of emerging artificial intelligence technologies within the international legal framework.

The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of freedom of expression, respectful debate, and the preservation of academic spaces where diverse viewpoints may be expressed civilly and without disruption. Academic institutions and public forums play a vital role in fostering informed discourse, and such engagement must be conducted with mutual respect for speakers, participants, and the integrity of the event.

Subsequent to the event, the High Commission of India, London issued a statement condemning the disruption of the lecture and the indecorous conduct displayed by certain individuals who sought to interfere with the proceedings.