CJI Surya Kant Flags AI Bias Against Poor, Stresses Social Justice As Constitutional Core

Speaking at the 8th Dinkar Memorial Lecture on “Rashmirathi: The Epic of Social Justice”, organised by NGO Respect India, the Chief Justice said that the ideals of equality, dignity and justice, later enshrined in the Constitution, were already strongly reflected in the writings of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

The CJI observed that literature has historically shaped societal consciousness and that Dinkar’s works, in particular, captured the aspirations and struggles of the nation even before constitutional articulation of those values.

Recalling his formative years, the Chief Justice said his family encouraged him to read Dinkar alongside literary stalwarts such as Munshi Premchand, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Mahadevi Varma. He noted that their writings not only provided emotional strength during the freedom struggle but also ignited a spirit of social awakening.

“The poetry of these great writers gave both solace and a sense of revolution among the masses,” he said, adding that law, like literature, must also serve as a source of comfort and justice for people.

Speaking in Hindi, the CJI drew parallels between Dinkar’s poetry and the constitutional vision of social justice, saying both emphasise social equality and harmony. He said Dinkar was honoured with the title of “Rashtrakavi” by Mahatma Gandhi because his work reflected the nation’s soul, struggles and aspirations.

Turning to contemporary challenges, Justice Kant said concerns are now emerging that AI systems may replicate and reinforce social biases. “Reports have started coming in that artificial intelligence also discriminates and is sometimes biased,” he observed.

He stressed that in a democracy, equality, dignity and social harmony are essential, adding that legislation alone is insufficient unless it translates into real respect for individuals in everyday life.

“Merely passing laws is not enough unless every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

The Chief Justice also noted that despite constitutional guarantees, inequalities continue to persist even after seven decades, and reiterated that social justice remains the foundation of a just social order. He further observed that legal discourse has long drawn from literary traditions, including the idea of “poetic justice”, which he said originated from the works of classical writers.

The event, organised by Respect India, was attended by Supreme Court Bar Association President. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh and Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari, who was conferred with the Dinkar Sanskriti Samman.

Recently, while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Gangtok, the CJI had said that while AI can significantly enhance judicial efficiency, it must never replace judicial reasoning. Instead, judges must be equipped to critically evaluate such systems to safeguard the integrity of adjudication. “As we integrate automated tools like AI into our daily work, the judge’s role as guardian of the human element becomes even more significant,” he had said, stressing that judicial education must evolve to identify and counter algorithmic bias.

The CJI had called for a “rigorous and forward-looking” pedagogical shift in judicial training, emphasising that ethics must remain central to the adoption of technology in courts. He noted that while AI tools can assist in identifying patterns in sentencing and bail decisions to ensure consistency, the ultimate control must rest with judges. “We are preparing a generation of jurists who see technology as an aid to their commitment to fairness, not a replacement for it,” he had said.