Supreme Court approves use of AI for judicial efficiency

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court’s division bench has advocated for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including tools like ChatGPT, to improve judicial efficiency.

The court has recommended that relevant authorities formulate comprehensive guidelines for the responsible use of AI within the judiciary.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, authoring the 18-page judgment, emphasized that AI could significantly aid in streamlining judicial processes, minimizing delays, and supporting legal research and judgment drafting.

However, the judgment cautioned that while AI can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the core human elements of judicial decision-making. “It cannot replicate the moral, ethical, and empathetic reasoning that is fundamental to judging,” the ruling noted.

The court stressed the need for a careful and balanced approach, stating, “Courts must pursue a calibrated integration—leveraging AI’s benefits without compromising the conscience, independence, and human essence that justice requires.”

Justice Shah further recommended that the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, in collaboration with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, develop detailed guidelines on the appropriate use of AI in the legal system.

Both bodies have been directed to begin formulating regulatory frameworks to address the evolving relationship between AI and the judiciary.