A Visit to Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon and Gross National Happiness

Bhutan has one law school, and it may be the most beautiful law school I have ever visited. Here is a short article about a very memorable trip and talk about development, tech, democracy, and happiness. 

SAN DIEGO (April 29, 2025) - Nestled in the eastern Himalayas between China and India, Bhutan is a small, landlocked kingdom renowned for its stunning natural beauty and deep-rooted cultural heritage. Often referred to as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" ("Druk Yul"), the dragon appears on the national flag. Bhutan boasts dramatic landscapes ranging from lush subtropical plains to steep, snow-capped mountains. Its commitment to preserving tradition is reflected in the country's unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which prioritizes spiritual and environmental well-being over economic growth. With its ancient monasteries, vibrant festivals, and strong sense of national identity, Bhutan offers a rare glimpse into a way of life where culture and nature exist in harmony.

In recent decades, Bhutan has undergone significant political and economic transformations. Transitioning from an absolute monarchy, the nation adopted a constitutional monarchy in 2008, introducing parliamentary democracy. Bhutan also faces contemporary challenges, including rising youth unemployment and increased emigration.

In April, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law Orly Lobel was invited to Bhutan’s only law school, JSW Law - in English forming the acronym Justice Service Wisdom. It was established through a Royal Charter on February 21, 2015, by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as a gift to the people of Bhutan. The King appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck as the Founding President of Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law by Royal Decree in 2017. The core objective of the law school is to provide legal education, facilitate research in law and related fields, promote cultural enrichment and continue traditional values. 

While at the law school, Professor Lobel toured the campus with Research Dean Professor Sonam Tshering and delivered a lecture based on her latest book The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future (PublicAffairs). The book has been named an Economist Best Book of the Year and has been translated into foreign languages, including most recently into Chinese. The book describes the opportunities alongside risks that AI and digital technology can bring and provides a rich and fascinating blueprint for how to best design and leverage technologies of our future for the well-being of all, including in health, work, education, justice and democracy. Professor Lobel discussed how these insights are particularly important when considering smaller countries with scarce resources like Bhutan. For example, she discussed with the law faculty and students an initiative that Bhutan is developing, with Japanese technology, called BuddhaBot, which uses LLM chat bot to help spread knowledge about buddhism. 

During her visit, she also had the opportunity to meet with various dignitaries including the former Minister of Health, Dechen Wangmo, who served as the minister during the COVID pandemic. Bhutan faces the challenge of increasing the number of doctors and health care professionals to match the World Health Organization rate per capita standards. This aligns with the research in her book The Equality Machine of how AI can help tackle access to health and medicine, as well as justice and education particularly for developing countries.

She also met with Jacques von Benecke who serves as the Group Chief Technology Officer for Druk Holdings & Investment and the Chief Technology Officer for the Bhutan National Digital Identity company. Mr von Benecke consults for the Government as a member of the Bhutan Government Technology Commission, the Bhutan representative of the ITU - Government Consultative Committee (GCC), and the Bhutan Government Liaison for Ayra. Professor Lobel discussed with him the recent development in Bhutan’s digital transformation and how research on human-machine trust and responsible AI can help facilitate these important processes. 

“It was a great honor to visit this beautiful country and its wonderful people. I enjoyed learning about Bhutan’s significant environmental and cultural preservation efforts alongside its fast moving technological development, together carving a path to support individual flourishing and economic growth. The faculty and students were greatly insightful and inspiring. I also had an amazing time hiking Tiger’s Nest Monastery, an awe-inspiring climb, exploring the capital city of Thimphu and the serene town of Paro, where I was fortunate to attend the vibrant Paro Tshechu festival—an unforgettable celebration of Bhutanese culture, music, and masked dances set against the backdrop of the Himalayas.”