At a recent event hosted by the Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association, Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court expressed concern over the increasing tendency among young lawyers to rely heavily on artificial intelligence and the practice of copying and pasting in the preparation of legal documents.
Justice Kant emphasized the irreplaceable value of human intellect and intuition in the field of law, cautioning against the overuse of ready-made solutions provided by technology. “While technology definitely has its own advantages and can aid research and organization, it can never replace intellectual rigor—particularly human depth and human intuition that are hallmarks of a skilled advocate on record,” he stated during his address.
Highlighting the limitations of artificial intelligence, Justice Kant noted, “Artificial Intelligence, I doubt, has a degree of ability to comprehend context in complete sense and capture subtleties of advocacy that make a difference in a court of law.” He underscored the importance of understanding the nuanced and complex nature of legal proceedings, which AI tools might not fully grasp.
The Justice urged the legal community, especially the newer entrants, to focus on honing their legal acumen and skills rather than depending on technological shortcuts. He warned that prioritizing the quantity of cases over the quality of legal craftsmanship could dilute the standards of practice and undermine the integrity of the legal profession.
This caution from a senior judicial figure comes at a time when the legal industry is increasingly intersecting with rapidly evolving digital technologies, including AI. Justice Kant’s advice serves as a reminder to young lawyers to maintain a balance between leveraging technology and cultivating their unique capabilities as legal practitioners.
