Dr. Pavan Duggal, the Conference Director and a globally recognized expert in cyber law, delivered the inaugural welcome address. Dr. Duggal began by explaining the inspiration behind the conference. Years ago, he envisioned an event that would help the world better understand the legal ramifications of cyberspace and the Metaverse. He stressed that the Metaverse is not just a technological novelty but represents the next evolutionary phase of the internet—a transformation where digital interaction becomes immersive, 3D, and persistent.
He drew attention to the fact that the Metaverse is created by combining the current capabilities of the internet with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. As these immersive platforms gain ground, Dr. Duggal emphasized that the legal implications are becoming more pressing. While early hype around the Metaverse has settled into more tempered development, its relevance has only increased with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), which is creating new intersections with virtual worlds.
Dr. Duggal described the Metaverse-AI intersection as a “deadly cocktail mix”—not in a negative sense, but as a powerful and complex ecosystem that transcends existing cyberspace capabilities. This convergence, according to him, opens up “phenomenal doors” for legal scholars, regulators, and technologists to collaborate. However, he also cautioned that the Metaverse, while attractive, brings with it a massive array of legal, policy, and regulatory issues that must be addressed with urgency and foresight.
He took a moment to reflect on his journey, noting that when he began his work in cyber law nearly 30 years ago, he believed it to be the final frontier. But over time, it became clear that cyber law was only the beginning. The field has since expanded into numerous sub-disciplines, including:
- Cybercrime law
- Cybersecurity law
- Artificial Intelligence law
- Internet of Things (IoT) law
- Blockchain law
- And most recently, Metaverse law
Dr. Duggal emphasized that Metaverse Law is now emerging as an independent discipline, and its evolution must be guided thoughtfully. He posed fundamental questions: What will be the legal ramifications of Metaverse platforms and transactions? How should governments, lawmakers, businesses, and users prepare for legal interactions in immersive spaces? What kind of legal architecture do we need for the Metaverse era?
To begin addressing these questions, Dr. Duggal explained, the first version of this international conference had been convened a few years ago. That earlier conference was insightful, but since then, a wealth of new developments had emerged, necessitating a fresh convening of experts and stakeholders.
He proudly noted that this year’s conference would include global thought leaders from across jurisdictions, joining virtually to share insights and best practices. The event, he said, would be unique in exploring the interconnections between the Metaverse and AI, and in identifying what kind of lead work needs to be done by governments, policymakers, and regulatory institutions to ensure effective governance and safety in the Metaverse.
Before concluding his opening remarks, Dr. Duggal introduced the Chief Guest of the conference—Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. He described Dr. Kumar as a trailblazer in legal policy and public service, applauding his leadership, visionary thinking, and dedication to nation-building. Dr. Duggal highlighted the fact that Dr. Kumar is the first legal professional in independent India to be appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice. His background in both public policy and law made him uniquely qualified to speak on the subject of Metaverse law and its future in India.