Judges must be guided by conscience, not algorithms: Justice Vikram Nath

Emphasising the primacy of human judgment in the justice delivery system, Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath has cautioned against over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial processes, stating that judges must be guided by their conscience and not by algorithms.

Speaking at a legal services event organised by the Gujarat Legal Services Authority, Justice Nath underscored that AI should only serve as a tool to assist judges and must never replace judicial decision-making. He warned that excessive dependence on technology risks reducing the adjudication of disputes to a mechanical exercise.

Raising concerns about algorithmic bias, Justice Nath noted that AI systems often replicate the prejudices embedded in the data they are trained on. “The delivery of justice must be guided by human conscience and not algorithms,” he asserted.

Highlighting the issue of case pendency, he remarked that it is not merely a statistical concern but a deeply human problem affecting litigants.

Stressing the importance of grassroots institutions, he said the district judiciary forms the bedrock of the justice system, as it is the first point of interaction for citizens and where facts are established.

He further emphasised that honesty is not an exceptional virtue but a non-negotiable condition for judicial existence.