CAN AI CONQUER THE COURTROOM?
- JESITHA J
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 17
“AI CAN ASSIST, BUT ONLY HUMANS CAN ENSURE JUSTICE”
Prologue:
We often wonder whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can fully replace human roles in the justice system. Even the present AI acknowledges itself as an assistant, and not a substitute for judges or lawyers. Although AI is highly effective in research, drafting, and management, it can never replicate the moral and ethical reasoning, which is the core of justice.
AI, a supporter and not a substitute:
Courts are not simply places where laws are applied mechanically; they are forums where laws are interpreted and delivered with sensitivity, enabling effective justice. Human values such as empathy, fairness, accountability, and integrity are central to judicial decisions, and machines are incapable of replicating them. That is AI can very well assist but it cannot give judgments like a judge or argue cases like a lawyer. If AI were ever to replace the human role in court, the courtroom would lose its very essence of humanity and would no longer be a court of justice but merely a room where arguments takes place.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence:
We have spoken a lot about what AI lacks, but that does not take away what it can do. While AI cannot replace humans in courtrooms, it can serve as a powerful assistant. Its strength lies in processing vast volumes of legal concepts, acquiring precise legal precedents, honing the drafted documents, and improving efficiency in case management.
But the final line is, efficiency should not overshadow fairness, and the final responsibility must always rest with human decision-makers.
Perspective of the Judiciary:
Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud emphasized that “machines can assist, they cannot replace human judgment” (Chandrachud). Similarly, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts highlighted the dangers of overreliance on AI. In his 2023 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, he noted that lawyers had unknowingly submitted fabricated AI- generated case references, warning that “any use of AI requires caution and humility” (Roberts).
Epilogue:
In the end, justice is the responsibility of human beings, who are equipped to render the same with caution. AI may support, but it cannot replace the wisdom and morality of human judgment.
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