Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo pointed out the transformative role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to assist judges in streamlining administrative tasks, expediting legal research, and predicting judicial outcomes.
However, during the 19th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chief Justice Gesmundo cautioned the courts against overreliance on AI.
Gesmundo emphasized that while AI can enhance judicial processes, “it lacks essential human qualities like empathy, ethical discretion, and the ability to adapt to societal changes – elements crucial for ensuring that justice is not only administered efficiently but also fairly and compassionately.”
“Courts should still be populated with human judges if we are to expect that empathy and compassion would still go into the consideration of granting equitable remedies,” he said.
He stressed that while AI remains a tool for judicial efficiency, “it should not compromise the integrity and human-centric nature of justice.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo spoke on the Regulation of the Legal Profession and the Education of Lawyers in an Era of Artificial Intelligence during the four-day conference that winds up on Monday, Oct. 14.
The SC’s Public Information Office (SC-PIO) said the biennial gathering brings together judiciary leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss critical issues facing justice systems today, particularly in the context of global challenges and technological advancements.
In his speech, Gesmundo underscored “the moral responsibility of judiciary leaders to guide their institutions through these rapid technological changes.”
He cited examples from foreign jurisdictions where AI is already used in courts for tasks such as examining evidence and preparing case files.
He also discussed the Philippine Supreme Court’s innovations under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), its five-year reform agenda which incorporates AI-driven programs in court processes to improve efficiency and access to justice.
Earlier, the SC – through Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez – had said that AI, “the ability of a computer or computer-controlled robot to do tasks commonly performed by humans,” cannot replace lawyers and judges in the dispensation of justice.
“AI can never replace the human heart, moral values, critical thinking skills, and respect for the rule of law,” Justice Lopez said.
He also said that AI is “a mere tool for human utilization and not intended to replace humans, especially in the legal profession as it has no deep understanding of abstract concepts like justice, equity, compassion, and good conscience.”
During a meeting with the members of the Court Stenographers Association of the Philippines (COSTRAPHIL) in Dipolog City in 2023, Gesmundo said that AI can help in stenographic work.
“We can harness AI-enabled voice-to-text transcription services to make stenographic work more efficient and more effective. After these tools generate automated transcripts, stenographers can then make corrections and enhancements,” he said.
The use of AI-enabled voice-to-text transcription will be pilot tested in several courts, he also said. “If it is successful, we will roll out AI-powered transcription technology in additional courts, and, hopefully, across all our courts,” he added.