Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into almost every discipline, and the judiciary is no exception. Even though the integration of AI into the judiciary is not as widespread as in other fields, its circumspect use has the potential to significantly benefit the judicial system. While addressing the longstanding challenges such as the huge backlog of cases, difficulties in accessing justice etc., the use of AI in the field of justice could offer valuable solutions. The transformative potential of AI is being recognised and the Courts are gradually shifting their practices to incorporate this technology, leading to an evolving judicial landscape.

The AI is constantly being implemented in the judicial system and its potential is being used for an increased efficiency. The AI in the judiciary is being incorporated in the following ways:

• SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency)- This platform is created to assist the judges of the Supreme Court in the decision making process by undertaking various processes. The AI tool reads the files of the case, extracts the facts and the law points of the case, provide relevant information and precedents on the said facts and thus aids the judges in their decision making. In addition to the judicial work, it also helps in the administration of the Court by apportioning the work, managing the large number of case files, etc[1].
  
  
• SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhi Anuvaad Software)- The cases filed in the Court consists of a lot of documents that in verbatim are in different local languages. It is mandatory to affix the translated copy of the said documents when the case is filed in the Supreme Court, nonetheless, it is also required that the translation be verified in the interest of justice. The documents are translated using this AI tool to avoid any mistake or deliberate misrepresentations to maintain the integrity of the Court. In addition to the case files, the orders or judgment passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court are also translated in the local languages to make it more accessible to the diverse population which speaks different languages[2].
  
  
• AI Transcription- In February 2023, it was announced by the CJI that with the help of AI, the live transcription of the proceedings of the Constitution Bench will be published.[3] This has been implemented in a widespread manner and a lot of proceedings have been published fostering various facets of law including advocates, students and even the judges of the lower Courts. Article 129 and Article 215 of the Indian Constitution declares the Supreme Court and all High Courts as a court of record respectively. The utilisation of this tool in all the proceedings of the Supreme Court and in all the High Courts will assist these courts to truly become a “Court of Record”.
  
  
• Chat GPT and Generative AI- Although there are concerns of accuracy in the use of tools like Chat GPT or any generative AI, but if used cautiously it can assist the Courts in achieving a broader aspect of a legal issue. In the year 2023[4], the Punjab and Haryana High Court while deciding a bail petition in which the accused caused death with cruelty, the judge used Chat GPT to get a comprehensive view of the judiciary of other nations in such cases. Justice Anoop Chitkara while passing the order clearly stated that “Any reference to Chat GPT and any observation made, is only intended to present a broader picture on bail jurisprudence, where cruelty is a factor”.  Tools like this can help the judges to get a broader perspective of the issue in hand and can even help in maintaining consistency in the judicial making process around the globe.
  
  
• E Filing System- It can be rightly reiterated that “E-Filing is undoubtedly very significant since it is the basis of a system of Artificial Intelligence”[5]. Almost all the Courts in India including the Supreme Court, High Courts and various lower courts allow e-filing of the cases which allows the submission of case files and documents online and expediate the filing process. The system of E-filing helps in streamlining the filing process as the errors/ objections can be identified and communicated in real time manner without visiting the filing branch physically. It also creates a personal dashboard of the particular advocate and thus it fosters the advocate in managing of all his cases at one place. It also creates a positive impact on the environment by eliminating the need of filing of physical files and document.

• Legal Research- The judicial decision making and the field of advocacy is based strongly on the research undertaken. The conventional methods of researching through books or case reporters is now shifted to use of online and offline computer databases and tools. This enables the user to look at all the material available on the said matter using the prowess of a computer. It has eased the process of researching by eliminating the need to search the matter through hundreds of pages by using some keywords. Now with the advent of AI, the process of searching is faster and more accurate thereby increasing the competence of the advocates and the judges as well.

The AI is a new discipline and even though the Indian Judiciary is considered as an early adopter of AI[6], this is just the tip of the ice burg and a lot needs to be done in order to completely incorporate the endless possibilities that the said tools have to offer. A good starting point would be to extend the technology currently used by the Apex Court to the High Courts and lower courts.

[1] https://webcast.gov.in/events/MTI1MQ–.

[2] https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/Press/press%20release%20for%20law%20day%20celebratoin.pdf.

[3] https://www.scobserver.in/journal/scs-live-transcription-project-a-failed-experiment/

[4] https://theprint.in/india/in-a-first-punjab-and-haryana-hc-uses-chat-gpt-for-deciding-upon-bail-plea/1479966/

[5] https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2020/05/15/e-filing-is-undoubtedly-very-significant-since-it-is-the-basis-of-a-system-of-artificial-intelligence-highlights-excerpts-from-scs-webinar-on-proposed-e-filing-module/

[6] https://vidhilegalpolicy.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Responsible-AI-in-the-Indian-Justice-System-A-Strategy-Paper.pdf