Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stated that young legal professionals are driving the technological modernization of the Indian judiciary, while emphasizing that artificial intelligence can never substitute human judgment.
Speaking at the Oxford Union, the Chief Justice highlighted the rapid adaptability of the country’s youth in law as a key catalyst for ongoing reforms. The address was delivered under the theme, “Constitutional Promise to Digital Reality: Safeguarding Justice in the Age of AI and Technological Advancement.”
Adaptability of Young Legal Professionals
Chief Justice Surya Kant praised young minds across various sectors of the legal community, including district court judicial officers, government lawyers, and corporate legal advisors. He noted that their quick adoption of modern tools has provided strong encouragement for the judiciary to implement transformative technological reforms.
The Limits of Artificial Intelligence
Addressing the growing integration of technology, the Chief Justice outlined the specific capabilities and boundaries of artificial intelligence in the legal sphere. He explained that while AI systems can analyze massive volumes of legal texts with high speed, map procedural trends, and eliminate administrative bottlenecks with precision, they lack essential human qualities.
According to the Chief Justice, technology remains entirely unable to replicate empathy, ethical discernment, and deep contextual understanding, which he described as the core elements that animate the soul of the law.
The event began with welcome remarks from advocate Tanvi Dubey.
