Using AI In Judiciary Is Not About Creating Robotic Judges; Justice Manmohan

Emphasizing that the Indian judicial system stands at the threshold of a "fourth industrial revolution," Justice Manmohan, judge, Supreme Court of India, recently addressed the urgent need to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the courts to tackle the mounting pendency of cases, while simultaneously cautioning against the perils of unchecked technology.At the event held on 29.11.2025 in Delhi on the theme “Transforming Justice Delivery System with AI & Technology,” the Judge highlighted a critical disconnect in the current legal framework. He observed that while the world has shifted into a digital arena, the laws being interpreted remain rooted in the physical world, creating friction when dealing with modern digital assets such as NFTs and digital art.He underscored that while courts are the custodians of the Constitution and protectors of citizens' rights, the judiciary must confront a crucial question: whether traditional procedural frameworks are equipped to address complex, technology-driven 21st-century disputes. He cautioned that the justice system cannot progress by relying solely on outdated methods, remarking that “we cannot drive into the future while looking into the rearview mirror.”Scale, Speed, and Access: Why Technology Is Now a Judicial NecessityHe underlined that the adoption of technology is no longer optional but indispensable, given the unprecedented scale at which the Indian judiciary operates. Serving a population of 1.4 billion, the court system is currently burdened with over 50 million pending cases, a number that represents not statistics but millions of citizens awaiting relief and justice.He noted that the traditional model of adjudication has inherent physical limits—there are only limited working hours and an insufficient judge-to-population ratio of just 21 judges per million, far below global standards. This imbalance, he said, cannot be corrected through incremental measures and requires a force multiplier, which technology provides. Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized how the crisis accelerated judicial modernization, with courts nationwide shifting almost overnight to virtual hearings. The successful conduct of millions of video-conference hearings demonstrated that the Indian judiciary is not rigid but adaptive, capable of embracing innovation to keep the justice system functioning even under extraordinary circumstances.AI in Judiciary: Moving from Automation to AugmentationThe Judge observed that the justice system is transitioning from the age of information to the age of intelligence, where AI has the potential to understand and analyze data—not merely store it—to significantly enhance judicial efficiency. Clarifying misconceptions, he stressed that the judiciary is not moving toward “Robo-Judges” but toward augmented intelligence, where AI tools assist and empower judges rather than replace human discretion. Highlighting key innovations, he noted that the Supreme Court's SUVAS system has become a transformative tool, enabling rapid translation of judgments into vernacular languages and thereby deepening access to justice for millions of litigants.He further pointed to SUPACE, an AI-driven research assistant capable of processing large volumes of case material within seconds to help judges identify relevant facts and precedents. Additionally, the Supreme Court's adoption of AI-based real-time transcription for Constitution Bench hearings has ensured accurate records of oral arguments. Justice Manmohan emphasized that beyond these developments, AI holds tremendous potential for docket management, including grouping thousands of similar cases—such as those arising from the same land acquisition—to streamline hearings and reduce delays.Global Lessons on AI in Justice SystemsHe emphasised the importance of studying international experiences as India develops its own AI framework for the judiciary. He noted that countries across the world have adopted varying levels of technological integration, offering both successful models and cautionary examples. In China, Internet Courts now dispose of millions of cases entirely online, using AI for routine functions and resolving matters within minutes—an approach that, while efficient, raises concerns about the impersonality of justice.In the United States, AI tools like COMPAS are used in criminal justice to assess the risk of re-offending and guide decisions on bail and sentencing. However, Justice Manmohan cautioned that India cannot replicate these models blindly. Given India's constitutional ethos, vast social diversity, and complex litigation landscape, he stressed the need for a bespoke, human-centric approach, where AI operates under a “human-in-the-loop” system—serving as an aid to the judiciary rather than replacing judicial discretion.Ethics, Bias & Constitutional Concerns in AI AdoptionJustice Manmohan cautioned that while AI offers transformative potential, it also brings serious constitutional...

Using AI In Judiciary Is Not About Creating Robotic Judges; Justice Manmohan

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