When Molly Swanson began exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the law during her studies at Bond University, she initially doubted her suitability for the topic. Without a computer science background, she feared being out of her depth. However, her passion for understanding how legal, social, political, and economic systems affect individuals soon convinced her that she was, in fact, well placed to examine the issue.
Molly realised that AI regulation must be accessible and understandable to everyone, not just those with technical expertise. She argued that any legal framework ensuring AI transparency should be clear, inclusive, and designed for people from all educational and social backgrounds.
Her academic dedication led her to complete a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Policy, Philosophy and Economics, and she has now been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. There, she will pursue a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Master of Science in the Social Science of the Internet, focusing on AI transparency and human rights.
Molly aims to explore how legal systems can balance innovation with accountability in the use of AI. She noted that while the legal profession has expressed both enthusiasm and caution about AI, formal regulation is inevitable—and positive. Regulation, she argued, should not be seen as a barrier to innovation but as a framework that fosters trust, protects human rights, and provides certainty for both developers and users.
She believes effective regulation must address privacy, data use, and bias, while recognising that humans ultimately remain responsible for how AI is designed and deployed.
For young lawyers, Molly’s message is optimistic: AI will not replace the human element of law. Instead, she encourages early-career professionals to embrace AI critically and confidently, recognising that the law will always require human judgment, empathy, and ethical reasoning, even as technology continues to evolve.
Source: QLS proctor
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