Ratna Rahima:
Prof. Md Shahin Kabir is a South Asian legal scholar, and he serves as Associate Professor of Law at the Lakhmi Chand Institute of Technology, and External Academic at the University of Oxford. He was a Senior Research Scholar (Law) at Amity University Dubai. For the academic teaching role, Prof. Kabir worked as Assistant Professor of Law at the Raffles University School of Law, and Guest Professor at the School of Legal Studies at Chandigarh University. He was an Adjunct Faculty member at the Department of Law, Integral University Lucknow. Prof Shahin Kabir was honored as External Research Fellow at the Global Institute of Law, Oxford (UK) and he was a Registered Academic and Researcher at IALS, University of London (UK). Since 2020, He servs as Editorial Board Member at Macrothink Institute (USA), a Reviewer at the Canadian Center of Science and Education (Canada), and a Global Scholar Team also Reviewer at the Journal of Law and Politic (Canada), also he is an Editorial Board Member at the Asian Social Science (Canada). Recently, Prof. Shahin Kabir achieved prestigious Research Scholar position at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, (USA).
His work integrates law, technology, and ethics, contributing to the development of a technology-driven legal and justice system aimed at creating a safer and more just world. Prof. Kabir’s journey is a testament to the power of legal research in shaping a better world.
We sat down with Prof. Kabir to discuss his groundbreaking research, the ethical challenges of AI, and his hopes for the future of legal systems.
Q: Professor Kabir, your work spans AI, Big Data, IoT, and legal ethics. What inspired you to explore this intersection of law and technology?
A: My interest began with a simple question in my mind was how legal systems keep pace with the digital world while staying true to ethical values. In many parts of South Asia, legal processes are slow and outdated. I saw technology as a powerful tool to improve efficiency and access to justice. But I also realized that without proper ethical guidelines, technology could do more harm than good. That’s why my research focuses on using innovation responsibly—to strengthen legal systems, not replace their human foundations.
Q: One of your most cited papers discusses AI in legal research and decision-making. What are the key takeaways?
A: AI can revolutionize legal practice—helping lawyers analyze case law, draft documents, and even predict outcomes. But it must be used responsibly. Legal decisions carry moral weight, and that cannot be outsourced to algorithms. I advocate for explainable AI systems that are transparent, auditable, and aligned with legal principles.
Q: You’ve also written about the use of smart technologies in law enforcement. What are the opportunities and risks?
A: Technologies like IoT and Big Data can enhance crime detection and courtroom efficiency. But they also raise serious concerns about surveillance and data misuse. My research calls for robust legal frameworks to ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of civil liberties.
Q: Your research paper on AI in immigration and border control has drawn international attention. What prompted that study?
A: Global mobility is increasingly managed by digital systems. Facial recognition, predictive profiling, and automated visa processing can improve efficiency—but they also risk discrimination and human rights violations. I wanted to highlight the need for ethical safeguards and international cooperation in designing these systems
Q: How do you see the role of legal education evolving in response to technological change?
A: Legal education must evolve to include digital literacy, data ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration. We need to prepare students not just to interpret laws, but to understand the technologies shaping those laws. This means rethinking curricula and fostering partnerships across disciplines.
Q: What are the biggest misconceptions people have about AI in the legal field?
A: One major misconception is that AI can replace lawyers. In reality, AI is a tool—not a substitute. It can assist with research and analysis, but it lacks the human judgment and ethical reasoning that legal decisions require. Another misconception is that AI is neutral; in fact, it reflects the biases of its creators and data sources.
Q: You’ve worked on humanitarian legal issues as well. How do you balance technological research with social justice advocacy?
A: For me, they are deeply connected. Technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. Whether I’m writing about the Rohingya crisis or AI governance, my goal is the same: to ensure that law protects the vulnerable and promotes fairness.
Q: What role do international collaborations play in your research?
A: They’re essential. Legal-tech challenges are global, and solutions must be informed from diverse perspectives. My work with global institutions allows me to engage with scholars from different regions, enriching the research and expanding its impact.
Q: What do you envision for the future of law in South Asia?
A: I envision a legal system that is digital, transparent, and inclusive. One that uses technology to reduce delays, improve access, and uphold justice. But this requires investment in infrastructure, education, and ethical governance.
Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with policymakers and technologists?
A: Innovation must never compromise justice. As we build smarter systems, we must also build fairer ones. That means embedding ethics into design, ensuring accountability, and always putting people before algorithms.
