Supreme Court Endorses AI in Pakistan Judiciary for Efficient Justice Delivery

ISLAMABAD: In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court’s division bench has endorsed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan judiciary, urging judicial bodies to explore the technology’s potential in improving efficiency and reducing delays in legal processes.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, delivering an 18-page judgment, emphasized that artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, could assist courts with legal research, drafting of judgments, and streamlining administrative tasks. However, he cautioned that AI cannot replace the essential moral, ethical, and empathic reasoning that defines judicial decision-making.

The ruling advocates for a balanced approach in integrating AI within the judiciary. “Courts must pursue a calibrated integration harnessing AI’s efficiencies without surrendering the conscience, independence, and humanity that justice demands,” the judgment stated.

Highlighting the significance of this shift, Justice Shah recommended that the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, in collaboration with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, should take the lead in framing comprehensive guidelines on the appropriate and ethical use of AI in courtrooms.

The judgment directs both institutions to proactively establish a framework to govern the responsible use of AI in Pakistan judiciary, ensuring that technological advancements do not compromise the fundamental principles of justice.