Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo emphasized the transformative role of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in reshaping the judiciary.
He delivered this message during his speech at the 19th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in front of fellow judicial leaders.
Gesmundo also discussed the regulation of the legal profession and lawyer education in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
He highlighted both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in delivering justice more efficiently.
The Chief Justice stressed the moral responsibility of judicial leaders to guide their institutions amid rapid technological advancements.
Gesmundo further explored the potential of AI to assist judges in streamlining administrative tasks, accelerating legal research, and drafting resolutions.
He shared innovations from the Philippine Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), a five-year reform agenda incorporating AI-powered programs to enhance judicial processes and improve access to justice.
However, the Chief Justice cautioned against overreliance on AI.
He explained that while technology can enhance judicial processes, it lacks essential human qualities such as empathy, ethical discretion, and adaptability to societal changes, all of which are crucial to ensuring justice is delivered not just efficiently but also fairly and compassionately.