Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant recently highlighted the crucial distinction between artificial intelligence as an aid to the judicial process and human reasoning as the foundation of justice. Speaking at an international law conference, he stressed that while AI can assist lawyers, judges, and litigants in research and efficiency, it must never replace human judgment. Justice Kant stated that technology can help in streamlining tasks such as document analysis, drafting, and identifying inconsistencies, but it lacks the emotional intelligence, ethical discernment, and moral weight essential for judicial decision-making.
He remarked that “we are not replacing the lawyer or the judge; we are simply augmenting their reach and refining their capacity to serve.” According to him, AI tools can be valuable for improving access to information, aiding legal research, and managing workloads, but they should always function under human oversight. Justice Kant cautioned that AI-generated outcomes are not infallible and may include inaccuracies or biases inherent in their data sources. He underscored that lawyers and judges must serve as the ultimate arbiters, responsible for verifying and validating AI outputs before relying on them in legal proceedings.
Justice Kant observed that the Indian judiciary has evolved significantly in its adoption of technology, transitioning from basic digitisation to a more integrated ecosystem that includes analytics, automation, and AI. He described these advancements as “force multipliers” that enhance judicial efficiency and access to justice. However, he also warned against viewing AI as a substitute for human intuition, empathy, and conscience. In his view, technology should be used to amplify human capability and precision, not to diminish the humane essence of justice.
Addressing the challenges that accompany the integration of AI in the legal domain, Justice Kant drew attention to issues such as digital illiteracy, potential misuse of personal data, algorithmic bias, and institutional reluctance to embrace technological change. He stressed that these challenges must be addressed through structured policies, continuous training, and ethical frameworks to prevent the deepening of inequality within the justice delivery system. He called upon judicial academies and law schools to design educational programs that prepare legal professionals for the ethical and responsible use of AI tools in their work.
Justice Kant concluded his address by reaffirming that technology must remain subservient to human ethics and conscience. He emphasised that the “essence of our calling lies not in data or algorithms, but in conscience and compassion,” noting that these qualities form the moral foundation of justice that no machine can replicate. His remarks underscored that while AI can guide and assist, the final responsibility for interpreting the law and delivering justice must rest with human judges and lawyers.
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