CJI Chandrachud stresses AI’s role in augmenting, not replacing human insight at judiciary tech conference

Saurabh Malik

Chandigarh, August 10

The two-day national conference on the judiciary and technology began today in Chandigarh with a cautionary note on ensuring that artificial intelligence did not encroach upon the creative processes, while acknowledging technology’s crucial role in enhancing efficiency, and bringing about transparency and breaking down geographical barriers that once limited access to justice.

Speaking at the inaugural session of “The Landscape of Technology in Courts in India and the Way Forward,” Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said: “While we must welcome artificial intelligence for tasks that can be automated, we must ensure that it does not encroach upon the creative processes that are inherently human. In fact, I believe that artificial intelligence can never supplant these uniquely human endeavors. It can augment, but never replace the innovative spark, the emotional intelligence and judgments that define humanity.”

Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court also underscored the need to strike a balance between embracing technology and preserving the unique human elements in the judicial process. Justice Rajesh Bindal of the Supreme Court was also present at the event.

At the onset of the event, Justice Chandrachud traced the journey of the justice delivery system from an era just two decades ago when judges struggled with operating desktops to current advancements. The CJI recounted a conference from 2004, where the desktop screens before the judges remained blank throughout the session in the absence of technological know-how.

“So that was where we began, this was probably around 2004 or so but how much we have now transformed as an institution and as individuals…. Something that many of the people may not realize is that technology being a tool to access to justice is not just a modern convenience or a trendy topic. It is deeply intertwined with the very foundations of our republic. Not only does the use of technology make our courts more accountable and responsive, it also brings people closer to the courtroom,” the CJI asserted.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Surya Kant said the judiciary could not lag behind in embracing the transformable power of technology to meet the demands of a modern society. The integration of advanced technology into our judicial system was the need of the hour to enhance the overall efficiency of the courts and ensure access to timely justice.

“In my two-and-a-half-decade old journey into justice, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that technology brings to the judiciary. One of the most profound changes I have observed is the paradigm shift in how we perceive justice delivery in this age of technology. No longer confined to physical courtrooms, justice can now transcend geographical barriers, bringing legal reports with a reach of even the most remote corners of our nation. This democratization of access to justice is a value that contributes towards a just system of law,” Justice Surya Kant said.

Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Sheel Nagu listed during the conference a series of transformative technological initiatives designed to modernise the judicial system, including making Supreme Court reports accessible online, integrated case management information system to streamline case management, the online RTI portal and the translation of judgments into regional languages to enhance accessibility for a broader audience.