COURTS ENTER THE DIGITAL AGE AS CJI SURYA KANT URGES AI WITH HUMAN OVERSIGHT

October 2, 2026

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has called for wider use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in judicial systems, while stressing that technological progress must remain firmly anchored in constitutional values and human judgment.

Speaking at the Seventh Congress of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Kant said courts could not remain untouched by the rapid technological transformation affecting societies. He said digital tools could make justice more accessible, transparent and responsive while helping reduce procedural delays.

The CJI highlighted India’s growing digital judicial infrastructure, including e-filing, virtual hearings, digital case-management systems and live-streaming of Constitution Bench proceedings. He noted that the Supreme Court conducted more than 7.5 lakh video-conference hearings between March 2020 and June 2024, demonstrating the importance of digital access to the justice system.

Artificial intelligence is also being incorporated into judicial services. The Supreme Court’s SUVAS system assists in translating judgments into Indian languages, while the AI-powered Su-Sahayak chatbot provides information on case status, cause lists, orders, judgments and other court services. The One Case, One Data initiative is intended to integrate information across different levels of the judiciary.

At the same time, Kant stressed that AI cannot replace judges. He said artificial intelligence may assist with judicial research and administrative processes, but judicial reasoning and decision-making must remain the responsibility of judges. The Supreme Court’s draft AI regulations, released in June, are based on the principle of maintaining human primacy.

The CJI also warned that poorly designed technological systems could exclude people who lack digital access or familiarity with online platforms. He argued that digitisation should therefore go beyond simply transferring existing procedures to computers and should instead be designed around the needs of citizens.

The remarks underline a broader transformation underway in India’s justice system, where technology is increasingly being used to connect courts, simplify access and manage large volumes of legal information. The challenge, Kant said, is to ensure that innovation strengthens rather than weakens the constitutional principles of dignity, equality, liberty and fairness.