Mumbai: The 10th Conference 2025, jointly organised by WeSchool Mumbai and Bengaluru,where retired Chief Justice of India (CJI) who was invited as chief guest of the conference, spoke ability spanned issues from digital transformation to corporate responsibility, presenting a vision for a resilient and progressive society.
Justice Chandrachud emphasised that in an increasingly interconnected world, innovation, collaboration, and resourcefulness must transcend national, industrial, and disciplinary boundaries. He stressed that the success of modern society will depend on the ability to build bridges across nations and sectors, fostering global cooperation.
“We survive on hope amidst cynicism,” he remarked, adding that technological progress must be balanced with robust cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring digital benefits do not come at the cost of personal privacy or national security.
He called for a holistic approach to digital transformation, urging governments to move beyond traditional policies and adopt adaptive frameworks that keep pace with advancements like quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Justice Chandrachud stressed the importance of reforming the education system to align with industrial needs. “Education must equip students with real-world skills before they enter the workforce,” he said, citing Thomas Edison’s philosophy of learning from failure. “Imagine if Edison had access to a curriculum blending practical skills with industrial demands — innovation would have accelerated manifold.”
On economic sustainability, Chandrachud underlined that business ethics and sustainability are not just corporate checkboxes, but shared responsibilities between businesses, governments, and civil society.
“Most businesses chase profits unless the law nudges them otherwise,” he said, citing the Companies Act, 2013, which mandates Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending.
Speaking about technology in the judiciary, Justice Chandrachud compared the rise of AI-assisted legal processes. While AI is transforming case management and speeding up legal proceedings, he cautioned against over-reliance on artificial intelligence.
He cited recent cases where lawyers were sanctioned for using AI-generated fake citations, reinforcing the point that technology can assist, but human judgment remains irreplaceable.
Chandrachud also emphasised the importance of universal internet access, noting that information is the foundation of knowledge, and knowledge drives societal progress.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” he said, stressing that policymakers must ensure technology serves progress rather than exclusion and that cybersecurity laws are strengthened to combat digital fraud and maintain global standards for data accuracy.
In his concluding remarks, Chandrachud called on leaders, businesses, and educators to go beyond reactive policies and instead actively shape the future.
“Preparing for the future places it out of our hands; creating the future brings it within our reach,” he said.
“Shaping the future requires bold action, vision, and collaborative effort — this is the confidence we must build to serve not just India, but the global community.”
Further when questioned about the recent alleged rape case near Pune’s Swargate Bus Stand, Justice Chandrachud strongly advocated for swift justice, proper investigation, immediate trials, and immediate judgments to create a sense of safety and justice for women.
VIDEO | Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Pune bus rape incident says, "A lot of changes were made in the laws following the 'Nirbhaya' incident, however, we can not prevent such incident by only having laws. There is a great responsibility on the society and apart… pic.twitter.com/hN3Vb0WcHc
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 27, 2025
“When the Nirbhaya case happened, legal reforms followed. But just enacting laws is not enough to prevent such incidents,” he said.
“Society itself must take responsibility—especially in an era where women are stepping out to work, study, and earn their livelihood.”
“Apart from strong legal implementation, it is essential that strict action is taken swiftly, with proper investigations and timely trials. Only then can we move towards a society where women feel safe.”
He further commented on the specifics of the Swargate case, saying: “I am told the incident occurred near the Swargate Bus Stand, very close to a police station. While law enforcement bears primary responsibility, public safety is a collective responsibility shared by all institutions responsible for public spaces.” “We must create well-lit, secure, and accessible public areas, be it transportation hubs, workplaces, hospitals, educational institutions, or hostels. Ensuring safe spaces for women requires concerted efforts at every level.”