Supreme Court Judge Justice P S Narasimha has issued a significant warning to the legal community about the potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at a felicitation event organized by the Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocates Association (APHCAA) in Vijayawada on Friday, he stressed that lawyers and judges must safeguard their creative and analytical abilities from being diminished by AI's rise.
The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Judiciary
Justice Narasimha acknowledged that while technology has historically enhanced performance, the advent of AI presents a unique challenge. "AI could also affect the thinking process, which everyone should be wary of," he observed. He predicted that the judicial system is poised for a massive transformation in the coming days due to this technology.
The judge was clear about the hierarchy of intelligence: "Technology should assist lawyers and judges, not the other way round. We must stay ahead of AI by keeping our critical thinking intact." The event was also attended by Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Urgent Call for Training and a Legal Academy
To prepare the legal fraternity for this impending change, Justice Narasimha made concrete recommendations. He emphasized the immediate need to conduct specialized training sessions for both judges and lawyers on the effective and cautious use of AI tools.
Going a step further, he proposed the establishment of a permanent legal academy for lawyers, modelled on the existing judicial academies for judges. This institution would focus on continuous learning to keep pace with the evolving landscape. He specifically asked Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas and the APHCAA to lead this initiative and pledged his personal support to make it a reality.
Evolving Practice and Client Expectations
Justice Narasimha also addressed the changing nature of legal practice. He noted that today's clients are more informed and have clearer expectations, which places a greater onus on lawyers. "This places a greater responsibility on lawyers to stay ahead in knowledge and to clearly advise on what is legally possible," he stated. He reiterated that despite these changes, justice remains the unshakable foundation of the entire legal system.
Reflecting on recent challenging years, he acknowledged the pressures faced by both the bench and the bar. He commended the legal community's patience, tolerance, and discipline in navigating difficult circumstances.
In a personal moment during the event, Justice Narasimha met with residents from his ancestral village, Medepalli in Prakasam district, who had come to wish him well. He inquired about conditions in the village and assured them of a visit very soon.
