Staying ahead of the machine: How one Chevening alumnus is shaping India’s AI future

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine the way we work, communicate, and govern, the need for thoughtful, rights-based regulation has never been more urgent. From algorithmic bias to surveillance, AI often raises more complex questions than it answers.

In this rapidly changing environment, the world needs experts who can not only interpret the law but also foresee its future; experts like Nikhil Naren, a Chevening alumnus who is committed to ensuring that innovation in India doesn’t outpace the protections it requires.

Nikhil received a Chevening Scholarship to pursue a master of laws in technology, media, and telecommunications at Queen Mary, University of London in 2021. His objective was clear: to enhance his knowledge, learn from industry experts, and bring those insights back to India.

‘I work at the intersection of law and technology – a space that is rapidly evolving in India but still finding its regulatory and conceptual footing,’ Nikhil explains.

‘The UK, in contrast, has long been a thought leader in this domain, with robust academic inquiry, mature policy discourse, and cutting-edge research centres dedicated to different aspects of tech regulation, AI ethics, and digital rights.’

For Nikhil, Chevening provided an opportunity not just to study at a leading UK university with a fully funded scholarship but also to become part of a global community of changemakers.

At Queen Mary, Nikhil was taught by some of the most respected voices in the field, who shaped his thinking on cyber law, privacy, censorship, and digital governance. But a turning point came when he worked with Professor Millard and a group of fellow students on the Microsoft-funded Cloud Legal Project.

‘It allowed me to engage with cutting-edge research on cloud governance and digital infrastructure, and its real-world implications,’ Nikhil says. ‘That kind of exposure was invaluable.’

Nikhil also began writing the first edition of his book Artificial Intelligence and Law: Challenges Demystified, which was published shortly after he completed his master’s degree in the UK. But the contribution Nikhil has made since returning to India extends well beyond literature.

The ripple effects of Nikhil’s Chevening year are now visible across India’s academic, legal, and policy spaces. He currently provides advisory services at the technology law firm Scriboard and is an Assistant Professor at Jindal Global Law School, where he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the regulation of technology, AI, intellectual property, and digital rights.

In addition to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of leaders, Nikhill frequently contributes to national newspapers, offering commentary on pressing issues like AI regulation, state surveillance, and tech policy.

He also delivers training sessions and workshops for universities, corporations, and policymakers, creating spaces where interdisciplinary dialogue between law, technology, and ethics can take place. Furthermore, through his legal advisory work at Scriboard, he advises clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies on everything from data protection to emerging tech compliance.

‘In a country like India, where technological adoption often outpaces regulatory readiness, investing in this area isn’t optional – it’s essential,’ he says. ‘And I see my work as a small but committed effort toward bridging that gap.’

For Nikhil, the goal is clear: to build a legal ecosystem that keeps pace with AI while preserving human rights and democratic values.

‘As AI becomes more woven into our daily lives, legal professionals must be ready to handle the ethical and regulatory challenges it brings,’ he says. ‘Crafting thoughtful legal frameworks helps ensure AI development reflects our societal values of fairness, transparency, and accountability.’

Reflecting on the extraordinary progress he’s made so far, Nikhil credits the lessons learned during his Chevening experience.

But there’s still work to be done.

Nikhil is determined to make topics related to technology law part of the academic curriculum and is committed to collaborating with policymakers and technologists to ensure these laws are both practical and principled.

After all, as the world races to understand the implications of AI, leaders like Nikhil remind us that progress isn’t just about staying ahead of the machine; it’s about making sure the machine serves humanity. And in that race, education, ethics, and global collaboration will always be our most powerful algorithms.