Chief Justice: AI only to assist, not replace, legal practitioners

BY GEROME DALIPE IV

ILOILO City – Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has emphasized the Supreme Court’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) integration within the Philippine justice system, as part of its Strategic Plan for Judiciary Innovations 2022-2026.

Speaking at the Philippine Judges Association National Convention in Iloilo City, Gesmundo underscored the importance of leveraging AI to streamline judicial processes, reduce case backlogs, and improve efficiency within the courts.

He noted that AI’s transformative capabilities are becoming increasingly clear, presenting opportunities to address longstanding challenges within the justice system.

The magistrate noted that the reforms aim to enhance access to justice, accelerate decision-making processes, and reduce delays, bringing the country closer to a more responsive and technologically equipped judiciary.

“With its ability to rapidly analyze voluminous data sets, predict outcomes, and automate mechanical and repetitive tasks, AI is transforming how legal services are delivered and how judicial systems operate,” Gesmundo said.

Gesmundo announced that the Supreme Court has begun testing Scriptix, an AI-powered voice-to-text software, in first and second-level courts to alleviate the shortage of court stenographers. This cost-effective solution aims to streamline courtroom documentation and improve efficiency.

In addition to Scriptix, the high court is piloting AI-enabled legal research platforms designed to reduce the time judges and lawyers spend on research, allowing for a deeper focus on analysis. 

Looking forward, the court also envisions AI assistance for “pro se litigants” — or individuals representing themselves in court—to help generate pleadings and navigate legal processes, thereby improving access to justice for those without legal representation.

“The court aims to assist individuals who are representing themselves in court in preparing pleadings and other legal documents through the generation of pertinent legal templates for their ready use,” Gesmundo said.

He also emphasized that AI’s role in the judicial system is to assist, not replace, legal practitioners, aiming to make processes more efficient while adhering to ethical standards.

The Chief Justice stressed that, despite its capabilities, AI lacks an understanding of the human concept of responsibility and serves strictly as a tool for applying legal rules rather than delivering justice itself.

“AI must be used responsibly,” Gesmundo remarked, pointing out that while it can streamline certain functions, such as document transcription and legal research, the ultimate responsibility for justice remains with human judges and lawyers./PN

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