New research centre strengthens the interplay between law, artificial intelligence and robotics

The University of Southern Denmark has established a new research centre at the Department of Law: CLAIR – Center for Law, AI and Robotics.

The centre will strengthen research in the legal challenges and opportunities that arise as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics technology enters all parts of society.

CLAIR brings together the Department’s many researchers in private law, public law, human rights and legal theory, who in their research and teaching already focus on AI technologies, algorithmic decision-making systems and the interaction between humans and technology.

- Artificial intelligence and robotics challenge fundamental legal concepts such as liability, rights, ownership and governance, whilst simultaneously creating new opportunities for all legal actors. With CLAIR, we wish to create a focal point for research that is both theoretically robust and socially relevant, says Head of Centre and Professor Natalie Videbæk Munkholm, Department of Law, SDU.

AI and Legal Education

A central part of the CLAIR’s work will be to work systematically on integrating AI into the Department of Law’s educational programmes. The focus is on strengthening legal methodological competencies, judgement in relation to classical foundational elements such as justice and the rule of law, competencies in the responsible use of AI, and an understanding of societal and ethical implications.

- In order to educate lawyers and business lawyers who are ready for the labour market, it is essential that legal educations keep up with the times and continuously and critically incorporate the tools that are made available. At the same time, it is a matter of safeguarding the rule of law and societal balances, also in a new digital reality, says Professor and future Vice Head of Department for Education, Per Andersen.

Collaboration and International Outlook

The ambition is for CLAIR to work closely with other areas of research at SDU, including social sciences, technical, health and humanities, as well as with external partners from public authorities, the business community and international research environments.

The centre will contribute to the global discussion on law, AI and robotics through research projects, publications, conferences and policy-oriented activities.

- There is a pronounced need for legal research that can keep up with – and qualify – technological development. CLAIR will be a visible voice in both academic and public debate, where we in Denmark, as one of the world’s leading digital societies and one of the world’s strongest rule-of-law countries, have a particular responsibility to contribute, says Head of Department and Professor Ole Hammerslev.

CLAIR officially opens on 13 May 2026 with an open CLAIR Talk and reception, and will on an ongoing basis launch research projects, conferences, webinars and collaborations.

See more at sdu.dk/CLAIR