Artificial intelligence in the judicial system: advantages and risks

About the author:

Natalia V. Buzova, Cand. Sci. (Jur.), Associate Professor, Department of Business and Corporate Law, Russian State University of Justice, Moscow, Russia; nbuzova@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2268-0345

Abstract:

The increasing entrepreneurial activity has led to a growth in the number of cases being handled by the judicial system. In order to reduce the workload on the courts and expand public access to justice, digital technologies are being adopted in judicial activities around the world, and experiments are being conducted on the use of artificial intelligence technologies for performing certain procedural actions. The article examines examples of the use of artificial intelligence technologies by judicial authorities in different countries. The results of these experiments show that existing artificial intelligence technologies can efficiently process large volumes of information, identify the applicable legal norms, and generate draft judicial documents based on similar past cases. However, the complete replacement of a judge with technology is currently extremely risky due to various potential risks, including the possibility of making unjust decisions. Artificial intelligence technologies may face difficulties in processing abstract concepts (such as reasonableness and justice), that are typically employed in legal principles. It seems that further implementation of digital technologies and the creation of additional online services will help reduce the workload on the courts and enable citizens to exercise their right to judicial protection. Nevertheless, large-scale integration of artificial intelligence technology into judicial activities requires further research, including testing its application in simple case categories and for specific procedural actions.

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