Source: Business Standard

India’s Supreme Court is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline legal processes by using AI tools to generate summaries of legal pleadings. This move was announced by Justice Manmohan, who emphasized that AI’s integration into judicial activities is essential to improve efficiency and reduce the workload on the judiciary. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize India’s legal system and address long-standing issues like case backlogs.

AI-generated summaries will assist judges in quickly understanding the essence of lengthy legal documents, allowing them to focus on more critical legal analysis. While the AI will handle the summarization, human oversight will remain essential to ensure accuracy and fairness. The technology will help filter out irrelevant information, making it easier for judges to navigate complex cases without getting bogged down by extensive and often repetitive legal arguments.

The adoption of AI for case summaries marks a significant step forward in the Indian judiciary’s approach to legal technology. Justice Manmohan mentioned that AI could help address delays in justice, ensuring that cases are processed more swiftly without compromising the quality of judgments. This is crucial in a system where millions of cases are pending, often causing significant delays in delivering justice.

Despite its potential, the use of AI in the courtroom has sparked debates about the extent to which it should influence judicial decisions. Critics argue that over-reliance on AI might lead to issues like algorithmic bias, which could affect the fairness of legal outcomes. They call for clear guidelines on the ethical use of AI, ensuring that technology complements human judgment rather than replacing it.

Justice Manmohan reassured that AI tools would not be used to make legal decisions but would function strictly as an aid to judges. He underscored the importance of maintaining judicial independence and the centrality of human decision-making in the legal process. Additionally, he noted that AI could reduce human error, especially in complex cases involving large amounts of data, and could help make justice more accessible by reducing delays.

This AI-driven initiative is part of a broader trend in India’s legal system, where technology is being increasingly integrated to improve transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. The use of AI in courts, however, will likely require robust legal frameworks to govern its deployment, ensuring it is used ethically and effectively. Future developments may include AI tools for other aspects of the judicial process, such as research or evidence analysis.

As India moves forward with AI in its judicial system, it joins a growing list of countries that are exploring similar technologies to enhance legal proceedings. However, the ultimate success of these initiatives will depend on how well the technology is implemented and regulated to ensure it serves the interests of justice.