In an era where algorithms increasingly shape decisions, Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant reminded the legal fraternity that while artificial intelligence may serve as an able assistant, the final voice of justice must always be human. Speaking at an international law conference, he said that AI can guide and support lawyers and judges, but it cannot and must not replace human judgment.
Justice Kant emphasised that technology can certainly simplify the mechanics of law. From analysing precedents and drafting pleadings to managing case data, AI can reduce inefficiency and enhance precision. Yet, he cautioned, “Artificial intelligence cannot sense the tremor in a witness’s voice or the anguish behind a petitioner’s plea. It cannot weigh the moral and emotional dimensions that shape judicial reasoning.”
The judge highlighted that the justice system’s essence lies in empathy, conscience, and contextual understanding—qualities that no machine, however advanced, can replicate. “AI may offer suggestions,” he said, “but the human mind must interpret them, and the human heart must validate them.”
Justice Kant warned of the dangers of blind reliance on AI tools, which, despite their sophistication, remain prone to hallucinations, biases, and errors stemming from flawed datasets. “AI is not infallible,” he observed. “Its output must be verified and validated. Ultimately, it is the lawyer and the judge who must remain the final arbiters of truth and fairness.”
He called on the legal community to embrace technology not as a threat but as a collaborator a force that can amplify the reach and speed of justice if guided by ethical principles. “We must learn to shape technology in accordance with our constitutional values,” he said. “The question is not whether AI will enter our courts it already has but whether it will do so responsibly.”
Justice Kant also underscored the transformative potential of digital innovation in ensuring access to justice. “If technology allows a farmer in a remote village to file a case without travelling hundreds of kilometres, if it gives voice to a marginalised citizen through online hearings, if it makes court judgments accessible in simple language then technology becomes the true ally of justice,” he said.
However, he also outlined the key challenges that accompany this transformation: data privacy risks, digital literacy gaps, algorithmic bias, and institutional hesitation. Without addressing these issues, he cautioned, the promise of digital justice could deepen existing inequalities rather than bridge them.
Turning to the future of legal education, Justice Kant urged law schools and judicial academies to evolve with the times. He recommended integrating subjects such as AI ethics, data governance, and computational law into the curriculum to prepare the next generation of lawyers and judges for a digital age. He also suggested creating a collaborative forum—a “legal-tech consortium”—to enable continuous learning and exchange between technologists, legal professionals, and policymakers.
In his closing reflections, Justice Kant struck a balanced note between optimism and caution. “We must not fear technology,” he said. “We must guide it. We must ensure that the algorithms we build reflect the values we hold justice, fairness, and human dignity.”
His remarks served as a timely reminder that while AI can process laws, only humans can deliver justice. The court of the future, he suggested, will not be one where machines replace judges, but one where machines empower them to serve better, faster, and fairer.
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