Why is it in the news?

• The Union Ministry for Law and Justice has introduced AI tools in the Supreme Court of India to enhance regional language usage in judicial procedures.
• The Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS) and other AI tools aim to improve efficiency and accessibility in the judiciary.

About SUVAS

• SUVAS is an AI system designed to translate judgments into regional languages, promoting accessibility. Over 20,000 judgments, including the Kesavananda Bharati verdict, are available in ten Indian languages on the Supreme Court website.
• SUVAS marks the initial integration of AI in the judicial domain, focusing on translation services.

 About SUPACE

• SUPACE is an AI tool aimed at processing information for judges’ consideration without participating in the decision-making process.
• Judges dealing with criminal matters will use SUPACE on an experimental basis to assess its effectiveness.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Judiciary

• AI is being explored globally in judiciaries and prosecution services, especially in criminal justice for investigative assistance and decision-making automation.
• Examples include the availability of court transcripts in the US and the option to request transcripts in the UK for a fee.
• Enables seamless data transfer among different pillars of the criminal justice system, enhancing efficiency.
• Video Conferencing (VC) in jails for remand prisoners expedites legal processes.
• National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes (NSTEP): Centralized application streamlining summons and process services to reduce delays.
• National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG): A repository for efficient case management and monitoring, ensuring effective disposal.

Challenges

• AI systems must be transparent and decisions explainable, crucial in the judiciary due to the significant impact on human lives.
• Concerns about biased AI leading to unfair decisions, particularly challenging in a system valuing fairness and impartiality.
• AI should supplement, not replace, human judgment, considering the nuanced understanding required in legal interpretations.
• Shifting to digital processes requires changes in governance setups, which may be resistant to innovation.
• Large data requirements for AI systems pose challenges in ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive information.