NEW DELHI: Courts must ensure that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the judicial system complements and does not replace human decision-making, a Supreme Court judge said on Thursday. “The challenge for institutions, including courts, is not whether to use AI, but how. The use of AI within the judicial system must be tested against the constitutional principles of fairness, transparency and accountability,” Justice Sanjay Karol said while speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled Indian Law and AI Conference 2026 held at the Delhi High Court. Justice Prathiba M Singh outlined several areas where AI could help reduce disputes, clear backlogs, and free up judges for core judicial tasks. He said the judiciary could consider developing an “Indian justice stack” that would allow access to structured information. “Can we create a model that reduces holds? We need technology. AI can help us investigate similar cases and address Section 138 check default issues when one party dies.” Or in the case of traffic challans and negotiable goods laws, which are important factors in disputes. With proper data analysis, AI can help reduce delays in criminal justice,” she said. Former SC judge Sanjay Kishan Kaur also supported the incorporation of AI in the judicial process, pointing out that technology can help in faster disposition of many matters that are decided by law.
