Judiciary exploring AI-based tools but tech must augment not replace human mind: Justice Surya Kant

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India designate Surya Kant on Sunday said that the judiciary in India has begun exploring AI-based tools for research, transcription and data analytics, but with the guiding principle that technology must augment, not replace, the human mind's discernment.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the Sixth Full Meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC), Justice Kant stressed that the future of law depends on whether technology can be harnessed as a tool without surrendering the humanity that gives justice its moral core.

He said AI holds immense promise in improving access, efficiency, and analytical precision in justice delivery and the idea of developing a practical framework for the responsible use of AI in commercial and appellate courts is both pragmatic and urgent.

"In India too, the judiciary has begun exploring AI-based tools for research, transcription, and data analytics, always with the guiding principle that technology must augment, not replace, the human mind’s discernment," he underscored.

Justice Kant said the challenge lies in establishing boundaries that preserve human judgment, ethical reasoning, and accountability.

"The law, after all, is not a mere algorithm—it is a reflection of human conscience, shaped by empathy, moral reasoning, and an understanding of context that machines cannot replicate.

"Can an algorithm trained on imperfect data truly deliver impartial justice? Who bears responsibility when automated systems err or perpetuate systemic bias? As we increasingly integrate AI into legal processes, we must pause to ask: are we enhancing justice—or gradually outsourcing it? The future of law depends on whether we can harness technology as a tool without surrendering the humanity that gives justice its moral core," he emphasised.

He said the legitimacy of judicial institutions depends not only on the correctness of outcomes but also on the perceived fairness of the process, and cited initiatives like livestreaming of court proceedings, real-time access to judgments, and a national digital case management ecosystem that now interlinks courts across all levels.

He said commercial law, at its core, is a law of promises, and trust is its currency.

He said the fact that about sixty jurisdictions are represented here in New Delhi is itself a testament to SIFoCC’s growing stature as a bridge between legal systems and a beacon for global judicial cooperation.

Lauding the discussions at the SIFoCC, Justice Kant said the contemplations over the past couple of days have reaffirmed what SIFoCC stands for -- that while the jurisdictions may differ in procedure and form, the commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law remains a shared constant.

"Equally significant were the proposals to explore new multilateral initiatives, particularly on the enforcement of arbitration awards and mediation agreements. Such efforts are not merely procedural reforms; they represent a shared commitment to strengthening the sinews of trust that sustain global commerce. After all, commercial law, at its core, is a law of promises -- and trust is its currency," he said.

Justice Kant, who will be sworn in as the next Chief Justice of India on November 24, said that the law of business in this era cannot be divorced from the ethics of responsibility.

"The deliberations during this session underscored that the corporate entities today are not only market participants but also stakeholders in the future of our planet.

"Courts everywhere are increasingly called upon to ensure that economic progress remains aligned with environmental sustainability and intergenerational equity," he said, adding that in India, this balance is deeply enshrined in the constitutional vision -- where the right to carry on trade and the right to a clean environment coexist as complementary, not competing, entitlements.

He said the deliberations on reconciling transparency with the need for confidentiality in commercial matters revealed the subtle balances that the courts of today must navigate.

"The legitimacy of judicial institutions, after all, depends not only on the correctness of outcomes but also on the perceived fairness of the process," he said, adding that in India, this commitment has found strong expression through initiatives such as livestreaming of court proceedings, real-time access to judgments, and a national digital case management ecosystem that now interlinks courts across all levels.

He added that hosting this full meeting of SFIoCC has been a moment of pride and introspection for India, and the country's journey in strengthening commercial adjudication has been both steady and resolute.

"We have established dedicated commercial courts across the country; introduced random and automatic allocation of cases, pre–trial conferences and case-management hearings to eliminate delays. Moving towards a unified, cloud-based, case-management hearings to eliminate delays," he said.

He pointed out that under the e-Courts Phase III programme (with the budgetary allocation of Rs 7,210 crore or approximately 800 million USD), India is moving towards a unified, cloud-based, smart judicial ecosystem, enabled by AI, machine-learning and blockchain infrastructure.

He added that through these modernising efforts, India is not only expediting justice but reinforcing the trust of investors, businesses and citizens in the reliability, predictability and integrity of our judicial processes.

"We see ourselves not merely as participants but as proactive contributors to the global conversation on commercial justice," Justice Kant said, while concluding his address.