The UCT Law Faculty’s new iNtaka Centre for Law & Technology attracts its first substantial grant
31 Mar 2022
As with every other aspect of society, the legal profession is fast embracing the capability and flexibility provided by technological innovation to ensure that lawyers, legal professionals and the practice of law are able to thrive in the digital era.
To contribute to these rapid developments, the University of Cape Town’s Law Faculty has established the iNtaka Centre for Law & Technology and its novel LawTechLab. Focused on examining and interacting with changes in the realm of law brought about by technology, iNtaka serves as a nexus where the intersection of law and technology can be explored, and the interplay between multi-disciplinary learning and research – centred on technology, regulation, innovation and human rights – can flourish.
The pace of advancement in technology, and the legal and social ramifications of developments in this field, have critical implications that will be fully investigated and engaged with by the Centre. iNtaka fulfils the distinct need for the development of expertise, skills and resources amongst legal practitioners, policymakers, government officials, NGOs, and innovators in the field of digital regulation, IP, and data laws.
With implementation and project development well underway, and with the Centre in its new space in UCT’s Kramer Law Building, 2022 has kicked off with the exciting news that Schmidt Futures has recognised the importance of the iNtaka Centre by providing a substantial grant. Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that bets early on exceptional people making the world better.
Schmidt Futures, described as a “talent initiative”, is focused on supporting, amongst others, people with new insights to solve hard problems in science and society, and people seeking to join together in a network of the sharpest minds to “make more of a difference to more people, in more places”.
The Schmidt Futures grant will enable the iNtaka Centre for Law & Technology to grow and to contribute substantially to the African network component and programming for the Schmidt Futures’ International Strategy Forum (ISF). One of the Centre’s first contributions will be to host a gathering in July this year of leading technologists, policymakers and innovators from across the continent.
iNtaka’s streams of activity are built around teaching & learning; policy & applied research; and outreach & engagement. “There is strong alignment between the Centre’s work and the goals of Schmidt Futures ISF initiative”, says iNtaka Centre Director Associate Professor Tobias Schonwetter. Enthusiastic about the work of ISF, and the Centre’s capacity to support this work, Schonwetter continued: “With ISF’s focus on building networks of talent, and Schmidt Futures support for the Centre, iNtaka is well-positioned as a great partner to support ISF generally, and to support in particular the development of ISF-Africa.”
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(This article is provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For more information on the topic, please contact the author/s or the relevant provider.)