In India, AI initiatives such as the Supreme Court’s SUVAAS project (Supreme Court Jurisprudence Translation Software), which uses machine learning to translate legal documents, mark the first steps towards integrating the technology into the judicial system.
Last year, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud redefined the philosophy of justice when he symbolically removed the blindfold from the Statue of Justice of India and placed the Constitution in his hands. The act represents a shift toward transparency, constitutional integrity, and a judiciary that values ​​intelligence over uncritical neutrality.
In Indian mythology, justice is rarely depicted as blind or blindfolded. Such an association can be seen in mythological stories like the Mahabharata where Gandhari wears a blindfold after learning about her husband – Dhritarashtra’s blindness. In the same epic, we meet another character – Yudhishthira who is guided by a system of wisdom, integrity and morality.
However in the 21st century, the right question does not revolve around mythology but rather navigating the complexities with new technologies like artificial intelligence. Can AI help us deliver a better justice system?
AI as an enabler of informed justice
In India, AI initiatives such as the Supreme Court’s SUVAAS project (Supreme Court Jurisprudence Translation Software), which uses machine learning to translate legal documents, mark the first steps towards integrating the technology into the judicial system. The AI-enabled translation tool is expected to make court proceedings faster and simpler.
Globally, AI has already transformed legal systems by increasing efficiency, transparency and accessibility. A report by Deloitte estimates that more than 100,000 legal roles will be automated by AI over the next decade, revolutionizing the way courts work.
A powerful AI-platform can analyze millions of past decisions, legislative maps, and constitutional principles to provide evidence-based insights. It is not to replace humanitarian justice but to augment it. Like Yudhisthira who uses his sense of morality, judges can use AI tools to navigate complex cases with clarity, fairness and empathy, free from bias or expediency to ensure justice. Rather it is based on truth.
To replace the sword with a constitution
Chief Justice Chandrachud’s replacement of the sword with the Constitution is symbolic of a judiciary that prioritizes rights over vengeance. Similarly, AI can help contextualize legal arguments through a constitutional lens. Tools like predictive analytics and natural language processing can identify systemic biases, ensuring decisions are consistent with fundamental rights and democratic values.
For example, jurisdictions such as Estonia already use AI to adjudicate small claims disputes, reducing court backlogs and speeding up resolution. For the uninitiated, Estonia is on its way to installing a robot judge to address legal pending cases. This kind of judicial implementation in India, according to the National Judicial Data Grid, could help address the staggering pendency of over 4.3 crore cases.
Removing the blindfold is also a call for transparency. With AI, courts can increase public trust by documenting how decisions are informed by data, precedents, and constitutional principles. AI-based tools such as legal analysts can provide real-time insights into trends and inconsistencies, making justice more predictable and less opaque.
Of course, integrating AI into the legal system comes with challenges. Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for ethical guidelines are critical concerns. Policymakers must ensure that AI tools are designed with strong safeguards in mind, enhancing rather than undermining the autonomy of the judiciary.
In seeking to modernize India’s judiciary, it must uphold the basic values ​​of wisdom and fairness. Chief Justice Chandrachud’s symbolic gesture invites us to rethink how we deliver justice – not blindly, but with full awareness. By embracing AI, India has an opportunity to create a fast, fair and deeply informed judicial system. Technology, like Yudhishthira’s steadfast commitment to religion, can empower the judiciary to uphold the promises of the Constitution with transparency and integrity.
The author is the visionary founder of Lexlegis.AI, a pioneering AI-powered legal solutions research firm in India.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of DNA)