In a significant move amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across sectors, the Gujarat High Court has issued a directive banning the use of AI tools within the judicial system and released a dedicated AI policy restricting their application in court-related work.
The court has clearly stated that judges, lawyers, and court staff are prohibited from using AI in their official duties, emphasizing that human intelligence must remain central to the justice delivery process, particularly in critical functions such as drafting judgments, interpreting laws, granting bail, and issuing interim orders.
The policy further specifies that sentencing decisions must be based solely on judicial discretion and human reasoning, and that AI technology should not be used as a reference or substitute in any form of legal decision-making.
The directive was outlined during a district judiciary judges’ conference in Gujarat, where the High Court stressed that accountability in judicial processes outweighs technological convenience, maintaining that while technology can assist administrative functions, it must not interfere with core judicial functions to ensure fairness and prevent potential errors or biases.