AI should be a tool to help judges, not replace them: Chief Justice of India

Bengaluru: Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the judicial system must strengthen, not supplant, human decision-making, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant said Saturday.He was addressing a seminar on ‘Artificial intelligence – Prevention and resolution of disputes', organised by Karnataka Judicial Academy in collaboration with Bar Association of India, UIA India Chapter and National Law School of India University (NLSIU).AI should remain a tool to assist judges rather than replace them, he said. It can help manage vast volumes of data, identify patterns and reduce procedural delays, the CJI noted, but cautioned against its role in the adjudicatory process. "If AI tools are allowed to gain control over judgment phase, it could lead to a non-transparent and unaccountable system," he pointed out. The CJI stressed that the final stage of delivering judgments must rest with human judges, guided by logic, experience and reason. "AI can show pathways, but the direction must be determined by human intellect," he added.Karnataka HC Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru raised concerns over whether AI is complementing or replacing human decision-making, and questioned its impact on accessibility and transparency in the justice system. At the same time, he acknowledged AI's potential in predicting disputes through pattern analysis and enabling cost-effective online dispute resolution mechanisms. Prashant Kumar, president of Bar Association of India, highlighted that AI could help translate court judgments into local languages, improving access for the rural population. "This enables advocates to interact with clients and extend legal benefits to them," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with EId ul fitr 2026 wishes, messages and quotes !