London, June 5, 2025

Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, during his address at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, cautioned that excessive reliance on technology in the judicial system could weaken public faith in the judiciary. His remarks were part of a keynote delivered at an international forum discussing the intersection of law, technology, and constitutional values.

CJI Gavai emphasized that while the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools has improved court efficiency, these advancements must not overshadow human discretion and ethical reasoning—both of which form the core of justice delivery.

“When technology takes the driver’s seat, it may improve speed but not necessarily justice,” he said.

He stressed that justice cannot be reduced to algorithms or data points. “The law thrives on human context, emotion, and interpretation—elements that AI, no matter how advanced, cannot replicate,” he added.

To address the growing global challenge of ethical tech adoption in courts, CJI Gavai proposed the formation of a “Commonwealth Dream Team” comprising judges, tech experts, academics, and policy thinkers. This multidisciplinary team would be tasked with developing uniform guidelines for the responsible use of AI and automation in judicial systems.

“A cross-jurisdictional effort is needed to ensure we retain the human soul of justice while embracing technological innovation,” he said.

India’s Digital Push

India’s judiciary has been proactive in digital transformation, with e-courts, virtual hearings, and online case tracking systems now common. However, the introduction of AI tools—like those used for case listing and transcription—has triggered debates around transparency, bias, and accountability.

Justice Gavai’s comments come amid these concerns and underline the need for cautious integration, rather than blind adoption, of technology in legal procedures.