We’re Overcautious While Using AI In Judiciary: CJI
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the judiciary is intentionally “overcautious” when dealing with artificial intelligence, stressing that technology can assist judges but cannot replace human decision-making. He made the remarks while responding to concerns about unregulated use of AI in courts.
AI As A Tool, Not A Decision Maker
The Chief Justice stated that AI is used only for limited purposes such as research support, sorting data or helping with document management. Final judicial reasoning, including interpretation of law and evaluation of evidence, remains solely with judges. He noted that courts verify every output before relying on it.
Courts Concerned About Fake Citations
The Supreme Court has encountered issues involving fake or AI-generated citations submitted by lawyers. Judges said this is one of the reasons why the judiciary is extremely careful. The bench added that reliance on unverified AI content could mislead courts, affecting the quality of justice.
No Expansion Without Safeguards
The Chief Justice said there is no move to expand AI usage without safeguards. He emphasised that judicial discretion, constitutional interpretation and moral judgment cannot be delegated to machines. Technology may speed up processes, but the responsibility for decisions must always remain human.
