AI Aids but Can't Replace Human Legal Judgments

Published Date : 26/10/2025 

Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant emphasizes that while artificial intelligence can enhance legal processes, it cannot replace the human element of justice. The integration of technology should augment human capacity, not displace it. 

Technology may be a powerful ally, but justice will always remain a profoundly human enterprise, Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant said, cautioning that while artificial intelligence can support legal processes, it can never substitute the human element of justice.

Delivering the keynote address at the 29th National Law Conference organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in Kandy, Justice Surya Kant said that as courts and lawyers increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital systems, they must remember that “the essence of our calling lies not in data or algorithms, but in conscience and compassion.”

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, he said. “The judge's discernment, the advocate's reasoning, the litigant's dignity, and the empathy that animates every fair trial — these are the living fibres of justice that no machine can replicate,” he emphasized.

The Supreme Court judge underlined that the integration of technology in the legal profession should enhance human capacity rather than displace it. “We are not replacing the lawyer or the judge; we are simply augmenting their reach and refining their capacity to serve,” he said. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: Can AI replace human judgment in legal processes?

A: No, while AI can assist in legal processes, it cannot replace the human element of justice, including empathy, moral reasoning, and the ability to understand complex human emotions and contexts.

Q: What are the benefits of integrating technology in the legal profession?

A: The benefits include enhanced accessibility to justice, improved efficiency through automation, and better data management, which can help in making more informed decisions.

Q: What are the challenges of using AI in the legal system?

A: Challenges include potential biases in AI algorithms, the need for human oversight, the digital divide, and concerns over confidentiality and cybersecurity.

Q: How can the digital divide in the legal profession be addressed?

A: The digital divide can be addressed through sustained capacity building, continuing legal education, and public–private partnerships to ensure that technological progress is inclusive and accessible to all.

Q: What is the proposed South Asian Legal Tech Consortium?

A: The South Asian Legal Tech Consortium is a proposed initiative to bring together judges, practitioners, academics, and technologists from across South Asia to share innovations, best practices, and ethical frameworks in legal technology. 

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