ABOUT THESHAYA NAIDOO
Theshaya Naidoo is a PhD (Law) candidate committed to building practical, rights-based solutions to complex social justice issues in South Africa. Her work focuses on how law and policy can respond to the challenges and opportunities created by emerging technologies, from data privacy to digital inequality. Beyond research, Theshaya actively shares tech scholarships, learning opportunities, and digital resources with over 150,000 followers across her social media platforms, helping young people, especially those in underrepresented communities, access global tools and networks.
She has presented her work at conferences in London and across Africa, highlighting the need for inclusive, ethically grounded legal systems in the face of digital change. Through her writing, advocacy, and online platforms, she works to close the gap between policy and people, and to ensure that innovation serves the public good.
She has published three academic articles on AI regulation, including AI Regulation in Legal Practice: Striking the Balance Between Innovation and Accountability and her LLM dissertation, Analysing the Need for Sui Generis AI Legislation in South Africa in the Face of International Legal Developments. Her research focuses on how to create legal frameworks that protect rights without holding back technological progress.She has presented internationally five times including at Harvard, where she spoke on deepfakes and legal accountability, and at Oxford (twice in one year), where she will speak on digital colonialism and power in global tech governance.
Beyond academia, Theshaya is committed to building practical tools for impact. She is currently developing a chatbot that helps survivors of gender-based violence access support and resources quickly and safely. Through this work, she aims to close the gap between law and lived experience. She also uses her platform on TikTok, with over 130,000 followers, to share tech career opportunities especially in AI, law, and cybersecurity and to make digital fields more accessible for South African youth.
The work of Theshaya Naidoo
She has dedicated much of her academic and professional career to the intersection of technology and law, publishing three articles that focus specifically on artificial intelligence (AI). My LLM dissertation, "Analysing the Need for Sui Generis AI Legislation in South Africa in the Face of International Legal Developments," explores the urgent need for specialized AI regulations to address the unique challenges posed by rapid technological advancements.
In 2024, she published an article titled "AI Regulation in Legal Practice: Striking the Balance Between Innovation and Accountability," where she delves into the integration of AI into legal practice, examining the complexities of fostering innovation while ensuring accountability. Additionally, I am actively contributing to global conversations about AI, presenting my research internationally five times, including upcoming presentations at Harvard and a conference in Singapore on deepfakes and AI.
Beyond academia, she leverages her platform on TikTok, where I have 130k followers, to promote careers in tech, particularly in AI and cybersecurity. Through engaging content, I aim to inspire the next generation of tech enthusiasts and professionals, making tech more accessible and encouraging them to explore the ever-expanding field of technology.