According to Supreme Court Judge Hima Kohli, Artificial intelligence (AI) should not be viewed as a threat, but as an opportunity to improve the quality of legal practice. She calls it a “game-changer” in the legal field with the potential to revolutionise the way lawyers work.
However, Justice Kohli raised ethical concerns about “accountability, transparency, and protection of parties’ rights” that may arise as a result of the use of artificial intelligence in the legal field.
The Judge stated that technology has undeniably played a significant role in keeping the wheels of justice turning even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
According to the judge, AI has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of legal practise by automating routine tasks, reducing the time required for legal research, and providing real-time access to information. This could free up more time and space for lawyers to focus on complex and value-added tasks, ultimately leading to better outcomes for clients.
Secondly, AI systems can analyse massive amounts of data and identify patterns and relationships that humans may miss. It leads to increased decision-making accuracy and better outcomes for clients.
Thirdly, AI can be used to provide clients with real-time information, personalised recommendations, and virtual legal counsel. According to Justice Kohli, it improves the overall experience of clients and aids in the development of long-term relationships.
Finally, she added, the incorporation of AI in the legal profession has the potential to create new business opportunities, such as the development of new legal-tech products and services.
While emphasising the importance of using AI in the legal field, Justice Kohli stated that the technology would lack human empathy, compassion, and reasoning, which are required for the administration of justice, and that judges would be required for these.
“The bottom line is that AI can never replace the human values that are deeply ingrained in the constitutions of countries, in institutions of excellence in the academia and governments and the civil society. So, let us embrace technology and artificial intelligence with caution and a firm commitment to the rule of law,” she said.
