In a key observation Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has opined that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist judges, lawyers and citizens but it cannot replace the human element behind rendering justice. While technology can guide, the human must govern and must be the final arbiter in the justice dispensation system, he said.
“Artificial intelligence may assist in researching authorities, generating drafts, or highlighting inconsistencies, but it cannot perceive the tremor in a witness’s voice, the anguish behind a petition, or the moral weight of a decision. Let us be crystal clear: we are not replacing the lawyer or the judge, we are simply augmenting their reach and refining their capacity to serve. Let technology be the guide and the human govern,” he stated.
He also cautioned against over-reliance on AI.“AI tools are not infallible. They can generate inaccuracies, hallucinations or reflect latent biases of their training data. Human oversight is non-negotiable. The lawyer or judge must always remain the final arbiter, checking and validating the AI output,” he said.The judge stressed that while technology may be a powerful ally, justice will always remain a profoundly human enterprise.
Justice Kant said the legal profession stands at a “decisive moment” where it must learn to balance technological progress with the enduring human values that define justice. He cautioned that while data may inform decisions, it must never dictate them.
He reminded the audience that the test of any technological reform lies in how inclusively it serves citizens, not merely in how efficiently it runs.
The judge was delivering the keynote address on “Technology in the Aid of the Legal Profession – A Global Perspective” at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s annual law conference.He described technology as a “force multiplier” that has transformed the practice of law and the administration of justice from courtrooms to classrooms.“It is not about replacing human judgment. It is about amplifying its reach, precision and purpose,” he said.
At the same time, Justice Kant warned of the risks that accompany the rapid adoption of digital tools. He identified four major challenges - digital literacy gaps, data privacy, AI bias and institutional resistance to change.He said the first challenge was ensuring that all members of the legal system could keep pace with digital progress “This digital divide risks exacerbating inequality: some legal actors may leap ahead, while many may be left behind,” he said, urging bar councils and judicial academies to invest in training and capacity building.
Our duty is to remain learners, open, adaptive, reflective and ready to embrace what aids in the pursuit of justice and discard what does not. For, at the end of the day, technology may illuminate the path - but it is humanity that must lead the way,” he said.He also cautioned against over-reliance on AI.“AI tools are not infallible. They can generate inaccuracies, hallucinations or reflect latent biases of their training data. Human oversight is non-negotiable. The lawyer or judge must always remain the final arbiter, checking and validating the AI output,” he said.
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