Technology can aid courts, but justice remains a human endeavour: CJI Surya Kant

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jun 24, 2026: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Tuesday underscored the importance of human judgment in the administration of justice, stating that while technology can enhance the efficiency and accessibility of courts, it cannot replace the learning, integrity, and commitment of judges.

Speaking during a meeting with Igor Krasnov, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, Justice Surya Kant cautioned against excessive dependence on technological innovations and stressed that justice delivery must remain fundamentally a human endeavour.

The two judicial leaders discussed the common challenges faced by the apex courts of India and Russia—two large and diverse nations—in maintaining public trust while adapting to rapid technological and societal changes.

“Although our legal traditions have evolved along different historical paths, we share a common challenge: how to preserve public confidence in the administration of justice while adapting to a rapidly changing world,” Justice Surya Kant said.

He noted that the primary responsibility of courts is to uphold justice in a manner that inspires public confidence. While technology has become a powerful tool for improving access, transparency, and responsiveness, it also has clear limitations, he added.

The CJI observed that Artificial Intelligence can assist judges by organising information, facilitating translations, generating transcripts, and streamlining administrative functions. However, he stressed that AI cannot determine judicial outcomes, assess the credibility of witnesses, evaluate evidence, or exercise judicial discretion.

“If technology enhances the capabilities of courts, investment in people determines how effectively those capabilities are utilised,” he said.

Highlighting the Indian judiciary’s approach, Justice Surya Kant said technology has been integrated as an indispensable part of the justice delivery system, while ensuring that core judicial values remain intact and irreplaceable.

He also referred to India’s National Judicial Education Strategy, which focuses on strengthening judicial capacity in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber law, digital evidence, and court management.

The CJI noted that the National Judicial Academy has evolved into a global training hub, providing judicial education to judges and judicial officers from several South Asian countries.

Calling for closer cooperation between the Indian and Russian judicial systems, Justice Surya Kant proposed greater engagement through exchanges between judicial academies, joint training programmes, research collaborations, and the sharing of best practices.

“I am confident that continued engagement between the Supreme Court of India and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation will further strengthen our institutions and enrich the administration of justice in both our countries,” he said.