AI in modern processes raises ethical, legal & practical considerations: CJI
NEW DELHI: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern processes, including court proceedings, raises complex ethical, legal and practical considerations that demand a thorough examination, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Saturday.
The CJI said AI represents the “next frontier of innovation” and its use in court adjudication presents both opportunities and challenges that warrant nuanced deliberation.
Justice Chandrachud said while AI presents unprecedented opportunities, it also raises complex challenges, particularly concerning ethics, accountability and bias and addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from stakeholders worldwide, transcending geographical and institutional boundaries.
He was speaking at a two-day conference on technology and dialogue between the Supreme Courts of India and Singapore.
Justice Chandrachud said in the legal sector, AI holds immense potential to transform the way legal professionals work, from enhancing legal research and case analysis to improving the efficiency of court proceedings.
With the launch of ChatGPT, a conversation has emerged about whether to rely on AI in reaching a conclusion for a case, the CJI said.
“These instances show that we cannot avoid the question of using AI in court adjudication. The integration of AI in modern processes, including court proceedings, raises complex ethical, legal, and practical considerations that demand a thorough examination,” he said.
The CJI said amid the excitement surrounding AI’s capabilities, there are also concerns regarding potential errors and misinterpretations.
Justice Chandrachud said the impact of bias in AI systems presents a complex challenge, particularly when it comes to indirect discrimination.
He said in the realm of AI, indirect discrimination can manifest in two crucial stages -- firstly, during the training phase where incomplete or inaccurate data may lead to biased outcomes and secondly, during data processing often within opaque “black-box” algorithms that obscure the decision-making process from human developers.
The CJI said facial recognition technology serves as a prime example of high-risk AI, given its inherently intrusive nature and potential for misuse.
He said the full realisation of AI’s potential hinges on global collaboration and cooperation.
The CJI also said there is a fear that adoption of AI may lead to the emergence of two-tiered systems, where access to quality legal assistance becomes stratified based on socio-economic status.