ABSTRACT
Rapid technological advancements have made it undeniable that machine learning is replacing human expertise. In 1956, Arthur McCarthy coined the phrase “artificial intelligence.” Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks usually associated with intelligent beings. There are many different uses of AI in the legal field. Globalization has led to advancements in legal technology. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where technical growth has reached astounding heights, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in courts. Judges are using increasingly sophisticated technology to help them make decisions. Artificial intelligence is intangible and focuses on tasks with the help of intelligence techniques. However, AI has the power to drastically change everyone’s monotonous life. We must follow the correct framework to ensure that AI has a positive influence, regardless of whether this is a good or terrible thing. With programs like SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency), which aims to streamline case management, the Indian judiciary has recognized the promise of AI. Additionally, citizens can obtain legal information more quickly thanks to AI-powered chatbots and legal analytics tools. However, issues with data privacy, bias, accountability, ethical ramifications, and the requirement for strong legal frameworks are brought up by the incorporation of AI. To maintain justice, fairness, and integrity, the developing Indian legal system must strike a balance between fundamental rights and technological improvements.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Indian Judiciary, Legal Technology, SUPACE, Data Privacy.
REIMAGINING JUSTICE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN OVERVIEW
“Technology will integrate police, forensics, jails, and courts, and will speed up their work as well. We are moving towards a justice system that will be fully future-ready.”
– Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi[1]
Artificial intelligence denotes the ability of technology, particularly computer systems, to simulate human intelligence processes. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence exhibited by machines, as opposed to the natural intelligence exhibited by humans or animals. Examples of AI applications include sophisticated web search engines, recommendation engines (like those used by YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix), speech recognition software (like Siri or Alexa), self-driving cars (like Tesla), and highly competitive gaming systems. The propensity for tasks that are thought to require “intelligence” to be left out of the definition of AI as robots get more complex is known as the AI effect. Many countries, legal businesses, and judiciaries are progressively adopting AI in the legal system, despite the fact that it is still in its infancy. It provides lawyers with affordable solutions by pointing out legal errors in rulings, assisting with contract drafting, conducting due diligence, assisting with legal analytics, and other activities. In this way, artificial intelligence (AI) can help lighten the court’s workload, especially when it comes to small infractions, freeing up human judges to decide on more complicated matters. There has long been discussion about whether or not artificial intelligence (AI) may transform the Indian legal system. However, the recent usage of AI Engine in the nation’s apex court to capture live hearings into textual form fuelled people’s optimism that AI could transform the antiquated Indian legal system. With the introduction of e-courts, India has already made progress toward this objective. The Supreme Court of India has already established an Artificial Intelligence Committee to evaluate and look at the application of AI in the legal system. The group created a comprehensive report that served as a blueprint for the third phase of the e-courts initiative. AI and blockchain technology have been given more importance in order to increase administrative efficiency, automate filing, intelligently schedule cases, better the case, improve the information system, and interact with litigants via chatbots. The goal of future justice tools, which are arguably the most sophisticated use of intelligent machines in the formal legal system, is to reduce the arbitrary nature of human judgment and decision-making in the greater legal system. Another significant step in investigating artificial intelligence and testing it in the task of textually documenting live proceedings during the Maharashtra political controversy case was taken earlier this year. This groundbreaking achievement increased optimism that artificial intelligence might eventually take over court administration.
[1]Press Information Bureau, Gov’t of India, Digital Transformation of Justice: Integrating AI in India’s Judiciary and Law Enforcement, PIB Delhi (Feb. 25, 2025, 8:22 PM), https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2106239®=3&lang=2 (quoting Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India).