WARREN BOWLES

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-bowles-5865b811/

AI ethicist, AI researcher and a consumate legal academic with more than 10 years experience in both public and private legal academia. Admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Currently researching and writing within the following areas that are my passion and my pursuit: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human Rights, Law and Education. Jack of all trades in law, life-long learner, avid reader and ocean enthusiast.

"Not all who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien, from the poem "All that is gold does not glitter." (1954)

• Advanced Policy Clinic Certification (with distinction): Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) Team Leader - Fall 2025 Advanced Policy Clinic Cohort. Commenced on 1 September 2025 and concluded on 1 December 2025.
• Policy Clinic Certification (with distinction): Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) Research Group Member - Spring 2025 Policy Clinic Cohort. Commenced on 20 January 2025 and concluded on 14 April 2025.
• Full Certification in Applied AI for Social Good (Polisync - Geneva, Switzerland). Obtained on 19 December 2025.
• Certification for Course 1 of the Full Certification in Applied AI for Social Good: "AI Foundations - Ethics, Governance & Prompting" (Polisync - Geneva, Switzerland). Obtained on 29 November 2025.
• Certification for Course 2 of the Full Certification in Applied AI for Social Good: "AI for Operations, Administration & Planning" (Polisync - Geneva, Switzerland). Obtained on 4 December 2025.
• Certification for Course 3 of the Full Certification in Applied AI for Social Good: "AI for Research, Insights & Data" (Polisync - Geneva, Switzerland). Obtained on 12 December 2025.
• Certification for Course 4 of the Full Certification in Applied AI for Social Good: "AI-Powered Content, Storytelling & Advocacy" (Polisync - Geneva, Switzerland). Obtained on 18 December 2025.
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "What Impact Does GenAI REALLY have on Learning? Turning your Classroom into a Research Lab" by Daire Maria Ni Unachain (obtained on 27 September 2025).
• Certificate of Participation and Completion for the IIE / Emeris Research Ethics Workshop (7 - 8 May 2025. Certificate obtained on 23 May 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "Canva Updates: Creating Magic for Your Classroom" by Andy Lucchesi (obtained 31 May 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "The Brussels Effect: AI Act-Proofing Your (Non) EU Learning Institution" by Daire Maria Ni Unachain (obtained on 10 May 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "The Researcher's AI Toolkit: Essentials for Every Scholar" by Shahida Rehman and Sanaa Ilyas (obtained 3 May 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "Connecting Dots: AI-Assisted Research Navigation Tools" by Shahida Rehman and Sanaa Ilyas (obtained on 19 April 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "From Subjects to Projects - Curriculum Mapping with a Little Help from AI" by Daire Maria Ni Unachain (obtained on 12 April 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "Google AI Toolkit for Educators: Live Demo" by Shahida Rehman (obtained on 22 March 2025).
• Skilling Future Workshop Masterclass Certification: "Family Fun! Creating Educational Songs and Stories" by Ioannis (John) Anapliotis (obtained on 29 March 2025).
• Pearson English Language Learning Badge: AI-Innovator in Language Teaching. Awarded for full attendance in the Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching Webinar Series of on 1 April 2025.
• Pearson Webinar Series: Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching - Certification for webinar participation in "Less planning, more Impact: Using AI to create effective lesson activities" by Jay Bhadresha and Nina Hall (obtained on 28 March 2025).
• Pearson Webinar Series: Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching - "Avoiding AI Slop: Generating Age and Level-Appropriate Content" by Luke Priddy (obtained on 27 March 2025).
• Pearson Webinar Series: Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching - Certification for webinar participation in "AI in Language Teaching: 10 Major Evolutions You Need to Prepare For" by Alex Asher (obtained on 26 March 2025).
• Pearson Webinar Series: Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching - Certification for webinar participation in "Help, I'm competing against AI: Human vs Artificial Intelligence in language teaching" by Ilya Gogin (obtained on 25 March 2025).
• Pearson Webinar Series: Challenging Traditional Methods: Understanding AI-Driven Innovations in Language Teaching - Certification for webinar participation in "Adapting Assessment in the Age of AI: From Challenge to Opportunity" by Amanda Bickerstaff (obtained on 24 March 2025).
• Certificate of Participation in the Inaugural Advanced Programme on AI and Human Rights in Africa, presented by the Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria) with the Global Center on AI Governance and the African Observatory on Responsible AI (Certificate obtained on 29 October 2024).
• LinkedIn Learning Certificate - Responsible AI: Principles and Practical Applications (Certificate obtained on 24 November 2024).
• LinkedIn Learning Certificate - How to Use Generative AI: Building an AI-First Mindset (Certificate obtained on 14 September 2024).
• D2L Masterclass Series Certificate of Completion - Engaging and Inclusive Learning Environments (Certificate obtained on 9 October 2024).
• Blackboard Academy: Blackboard Certified Associate in Digital Teaching and Learning (Course A Certification - Fundamentals of Digital Teaching and Learning - obtained on 6 December 2019).

• Artificial Intelligence (AI), the law and AI influences on legal practice.
• AI in education.
• AI policy analysis and interpretation.
• Human rights law.
• Constitutional law.
• Legal Philosophy and ethics.
• Legal education and educational leadership.

ORCiD: 0000 - 0001 - 5367 - 2191

Peer Reviewer for the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Review Journal (PER / PELJ), managed under the auspices of the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU).

Areas of expertise for peer review of proposed journal articles: AI, law, human rights, data protection and legal education.

·

 PUBLICATIONS

• W. Bowles '(Em)Power Games': A Therapeutic Techno-Political Approach to the Global Artificial Intelligence Race, in Arslan, A.C. and Tinas, M. "Rethinking Techno-Politics in the Digital Age: Global Technology Relations and Security" (2025) IGI Global Scientific Publishing. ISBN: 9798337324593 (Print); 9798337324616 (E-Book). Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/rethinking-techno-politics-digital-age/368236.
• W. Bowles 'What does this button do?': Towards a Regulatory Framework for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in South Africa, in Chitimira, H. Warikandwa, T.V. and Phooko, M.R. "Commercial Law and Related Issues: A Review of Contemporary Legal Issues and Regulatory Developments in South Africa and Selected Jurisdictions" (2025) Juta. ISBN: 9781485154235 (Print); 9781485154242 (ePub).
• W. Bowles Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Catalyst or Conundrum?, in C. Stueckelberger, M.M. Rocamora, D. Singh and P. Duggal (eds.) "AI Governance Ethics: Artificial Intelligence with Shared Values and Rules" 2024 (Globethics). Link: https://repository.globethics.net/handle/20.500.12424/4318987.
• W. Bowles Acts, regulations and protocols governing transportation in South Africa and the SADC region in W. Engelbrecht and P. Ramgovind "Transportation Management: A Southern African Perspective" (2nd Ed) (2025) Van Schaik Publishers: Pretoria. ISBN: 9780 627042 775.
• W. Engelbrecht, B. van Wyk and W. Bowles The Transformation Leadership Role of Private Higher Education in Promoting Social Justice: A South African Case (July 2022) Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362143447.
• E. Fourie and W. Bowles Labour and social protection for migrant domestic workers in South Africa, in C. Hugo and T.M.J. Möllers (eds.) “Transnational Impacts on Law: Perspectives from South Africa and Germany” 2017 (Nomos and Juta).

· TEXTBOOK UPDATES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

• In December 2019, I was approached by Juta & Company Ltd to do a textbook update for the upcoming Seventh Edition of The Bill of Rights Handbook by Iain Currie and Johan de Waal. I updated chapters 17, 20, 21, 22 and 31.I submitted the abovementioned updated chapters to Juta & Company Ltd on 22 January 2020. The Seventh Edition of this textbook is still due to published.

· PAPERS PRESENTED

• "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Constitutional Supremacy and Transformative Constitutionalism: A Digital Constitution and an AI Bill of Rights for an Algorithmic Southern Africa?"

Presented on 17 July 2025 at the Southern African Law Teachers Conference 2025, hosted by the University of Pretoria Faculty of Law.

• “‘What does this button do?’: Analysing prevailing theories on legislative and regulatory mechanisms for the ethical use of artificial intelligence (or AI) in legal education and legal practice to advance social justice and resilience” –

Presented at the Southern African Law Teachers Conference, held between 15 and 19 January 2024 under the auspices of the Faculty of Law at the North-West University. The paper was presented on 17 January 2024 and it received an honourable mention from the former South African Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, at the welcoming ceremony to the conference. 

• Towards Transformation Pedagogy in Legal Education Using Artificial Intelligence (AI): What the Future ‘Fit and Proper’ Legal Practitioner Needs to Know in an Ever-Changing Digital World”

Presented at the Southern African Law Teachers Colloquium held by the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria on 4 September 2024. On 5 September 2024, I was also invited to be a panel member at the same colloquium for a discussion on “Advancing Legal Education through Technological Innovation and Collaborative Pedagogical Models”, which was chaired by Prof. Steve Cornelius. This paper is currently being reworked for submission to an accredited journal for publication in 2025.

• ·"Towards the Regulation and Legislation of using Artificial Intelligence (or AI) in the South African Higher Education Sector with the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act as a Yardstick”

Presented on 1 October 2024 at the DigiTAL2K Virtual Day Conference. I am currently writing this paper with a view to having it published in an A-list accredited journal (still to be decided) in 2025. 

ONGOING RESEARCH PAPERS AND PROJECT

• On 5 January 2026, I submitted a book chapter titled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Legal Profession" for a book titled "Law and Economics of Artificial Intelligence", under the editorship of Prof Dr Armin Kammel (Professor at Donau Universitat, Krems an der Donau, Austria). The book is to be published by De Gruyter Brill Publishers in 2026. Since undergoing double-blind peer review, I have been informed that my chapter will be published and the book itself is to be published in 2026, for which I await final confirmation.
• My abstract titled Constructive (AI)lignment: reconceptualising the "Golden Thread" in legal education curricula through Artificial Intelligence (AI) augmentation has been accepted for a book chapter in an edited volume ("Redefining Legal Education in the Age of AI: Transforming Curricula for the Future of Law") to be published in 2027 by the AI and the Law Institute in the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Law and Juta. This book chapter is in progress.
• My abstract titled Catalyst or Cataclysm: Evaluating the Emergence of the "Algorithmic Society" and its Ramifications for the Achievement of Specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was accepted on 14 April 2026 for a Law Conference ("Artificial Intelligence and the Law - Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through Law, Governance and Practice") to be hosted by the AI and the Law Institute in the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Law between 8 and 10 July 2026. This paper is in progress.
• I submitted my abstract titled Towards a Right to Algorithmic Transparency as a Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a book chapter in a special issue volume ("Discrimination and the Law: Does Artificial Intelligence Widen or Narrow the Gap in Legal Practice and Justice?") to be published in 2026 by the AI and the Law Institute in the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Law and Sage Publishers at the end of 2026. I am awaiting feedback on this abstract from the editors. My book chapter for this volume is currently in progress.
• I submitted my abstract titled "Teaching, learning and assessment by the (Molt)book": a nuanced perspective on using Agentic AI in higher education for a paper to be presented at the DigiTAL2K 2026 Conference, which is taking place in Sandton, Johannesburg in November 2026. I am awaiting feedback regarding the acceptance of this abstract for this conference. My paper for this conference is currently in progress.
• I am currently writing a chapter titled Legislation, regulations and protocols that govern basic and higher education in South Africa and the SADC region for a book with the title "Educational Leadership and Management: a sector-wide approach", under the editorship of Dr Willy Engelbrecht and Mr Willard Morgan, to be published by Juta Publishers in 2026. This book chapter is in progress.

Testimonials, academic transcripts, personal documentation and certificates are available on request.

• Member of the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA).
• Member of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (IASEAI).
• Associate with AI 2030 - Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
• Contributor on AI Calls for Input / Comment with "AI & Equality" Community Forum.
• Member of the IIE / Emeris Research Ethics Committee (May 2025 - Current).
• Member of the IIE / Emeris Higher Degrees Committee (Jan 2026 - Current).

• Contributor to Comment on UN OHCHR Call for Input for EMRTD Study on AI, Cultural Rights, and the Right to Development, with "AI & Equality Community" (Nov 2025). URL: https://community.aiequalitytoolbox.com/c/comment-equality-ai-council-of-europe/first-draft-ready-un-ohchr-on-ai-cultural-rights-and-the-right-to-development.
• Contributor to Call for Input on Declaration to Shape Responsible Use of AI for SDGs for the Hamburg Sustainability Conference & UNDP, with "AI & Equality Community" (Apr 2025). URL: https://community.aiequalitytoolbox.com/c/comment-to-shape-responsible-use-of-ai-for-the-sdgs-declaration/submitted.