Academic bats for AI as aid, not substitute, in judiciary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be used to strengthen judicial administration, but judicial decision-making must remain with human judges, a senior law professor said while addressing an international conference in Brussels on the role of AI and Machine Learning in judicial functioning.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Mishra, Registrar of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, made the remarks at the conference, Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Judicial Functioning, organised by the Centre for Indo-European Cooperation (CIEC), Brussels. 

The event brought together judges, legal scholars, policymakers, researchers, diplomats and technology experts from India and Europe to discuss the growing role of AI in judicial systems.

Prof. Mishra said AI-powered technologies could significantly improve legal research, document management, case administration, translation and other court-related functions, making the justice delivery system more efficient, transparent and accessible.

He, however, maintained that constitutional values, judicial independence, ethical standards and human sensitivity could not be replaced by technology, and that AI should remain a support tool rather than a substitute for judges.

Highlighting the need to integrate technological innovation with legal education, Prof. Mishra said law schools should prepare future legal professionals for an AI-enabled justice ecosystem through interdisciplinary education, advanced research and skill development. He added that academic programmes should combine technological competence with constitutional values, ethical governance and the rule of law.

Referring to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, he said the institution was committed to equipping students for emerging challenges at the intersection of law and technology.

Prof. Mishra also called for greater collaboration between India and Europe in legal education, research, technology and public policy, saying such international engagements would promote the responsible and ethical use of AI in judicial systems while improving efficiency, transparency, accountability and access to justice.