No Algorithm Can Judge: Justice Vikram Nath Draws Red Line On AI In Courts

Speaking at the valedictory function of the 22nd Biennial State Level Conference of the Karnataka State Judicial Officers Associations, Justice Nath said the judiciary must acknowledge the growing presence of AI but approach its use with caution and clarity.

“The question is not whether AI will exist, the question is how we as judges, judicial officers, respond to it,” he remarked, setting the tone for a nuanced discussion on technology and the justice system.

Justice Nath emphasised that artificial intelligence should be viewed strictly as a facilitative tool. “AI is a tool to assist the judicial process; it is not, and can never become, a substitute for the judicial mind,” he said. While machines may aid in collecting and organising data, identifying patterns, and presenting information efficiently, adjudication itself is far from a mechanical exercise.

He highlighted that judicial decision-making is deeply rooted in human experience, something no algorithm can replicate. “Judging is a human responsibility. It calls for discernment, balance, and conscience. It requires an ability to appreciate not merely what is written on paper, but what lies beneath it in human experience,” he observed.

The judge pointed out that courts are often required to navigate “competing hardships” between parties; an exercise that goes beyond logic or data processing. “No algorithm can replace moral judgment, and no automated process can replace the discipline of reason in adjudication,” he said, reinforcing that the judge will remain the central figure in the justice system despite technological advancements.

At the same time, Justice Nath cautioned judicial officers against uncritical adoption of AI tools. He urged them to strike a careful balance between leveraging technology and guarding against its misuse. “We must learn to use these tools while remaining alert to situations where such tools may be unsafe,” he said, adding that innovation should be welcomed, but not blindly embraced.

Addressing younger members of the judiciary, Justice Nath also reflected on the nature of judicial power. He noted that while judges exercise significant authority impacting rights, liberty, property, and reputation, such power must be exercised with humility rather than pride. “It is an office of responsibility and trust,” he said, cautioning against detachment from the people whom the justice system serves.

Concluding his address, Justice Nath invoked Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If”, drawing parallels between its message and the qualities required in judicial life. He highlighted the importance of remaining calm under pressure, firm without rigidity, and grounded in humility, traits he described as irreplaceably human.

Recently, speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day annual conference of Gujarat’s district judiciary, themed “Reshaping Dispensation of Justice-Transcending the Narratives,” Justice Nath had highlighted that in a constitutional democracy, the judiciary carries a “profound responsibility” that goes beyond mere adjudication. He had emphasised that India’s justice delivery system must continuously evolve to meet changing societal needs, highlighting the growing role of technology in improving access, efficiency, and responsiveness.

“The justice delivery system must continuously evolve, responding to changing societal needs, technological advancements, and growing expectations of citizens,” he had said, adding that the judiciary plays a critical role in safeguarding rights, upholding the rule of law, and reinforcing public confidence in governance. He had also stressed that the legitimacy of the judiciary rests not only on the correctness of its decisions but also on its accessibility and efficiency. “To reshape the dispensation of justice is not to depart from our foundational principles, but to strengthen them by adapting to contemporary realities,” he had observed.

Justice Aravind Kumar was also present at the event.