Judges very conscious, will not let AI overpower judicial process, Supreme Court says — UPSC Current Affairs | December 5, 2025
Judges very conscious, will not let AI overpower judicial process, Supreme Court says
The Supreme Court is cautious about the use of Generative AI in judicial processes, addressing concerns about potential biases and 'hallucinations'. A petition was filed highlighting these risks, emphasizing the need for regulation and judicial training to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Overview The Supreme Court has expressed concerns regarding the indiscriminate use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in judicial work. The court emphasized that it would not allow robotic systems to take over the judicial administration process in the country. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the need for caution, stating that the judiciary is very conscious of the risks associated with AI. Key Developments Petition on GenAI Dangers A petition filed by Kartikeya Rawal , represented by senior advocate Anupam Lal Das and advocate Abhinav Shrivastava , raised concerns about the dangers of GenAI . The petition pointed out that GenAI could create “hallucinations,” resulting in fictitious judgments, research material, and bias. Court's Response The court allowed Mr. Rawal to withdraw the plea, suggesting that he approach the court on the administrative side with suggestions. The CJI emphasized the responsibility of both the Bar and judicial officers to verify information, especially when using AI-generated research. Judicial Training The CJI mentioned that judicial officers’ training camps were addressing the problems caused by the advent of AI in the legal field. These camps aim to equip judicial officers with the skills to critically evaluate AI-generated content. Petition's Key Arguments The petition sought a strict policy or guidelines to regulate the use of GenAI in courts, tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodies. It warned that the opaque use of AI and Machine Learning technologies in the judicial system could trigger constitutional and human rights concerns. The petition emphasized the need for data used by the judiciary to be free from bias and for the ownership of that data to be transparent. It highlighted the risk of GenAI producing original content based on prompts, potentially leading to fake case laws and lengthy observations not based on precedents. UPSC Relevance GS2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice This news is relevant to GS2 as it deals with the intersection of technology and the judicial system. The concerns raised about AI bias and the need for regulation are important aspects of governance and social justice. GS3: Science and Technology The discussion about Generative AI and its potential impact on the legal field is relevant to GS3 . Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI is crucial for policymakers. GS4: Ethics and Human Interface The ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in the judiciary are relevant to GS4 . Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in the use of technology aligns with ethical principles. Important Facts Generative AI (GenAI): Capable of generating new content based on prompts or queries. Hallucinations: The generation of false or misleading information by AI. Kartikeya Rawal: The petitioner who filed the plea about the dangers of GenAI. Anupam Lal Das and Abhinav Shrivastava: The senior advocates representing the petitioner. Judicial Officers' Training Camps: Addressing the problems caused by AI in the legal field.