A recent report highlights remarks by Justice B. V. Nagarathna, who emphasized that the concept of judicial independence must evolve in the age of artificial intelligence. Speaking at a judicial conference, she warned that excessive reliance on AI tools could subtly influence how judges think and reason, thereby affecting their cognitive autonomy.
Justice Nagarathna explained that AI systems can shape human decision-making by influencing how information is processed. If judges begin depending heavily on such tools, it may lead to “algorithmic influence”—where decisions are indirectly guided by machine outputs rather than independent judicial reasoning. This raises serious concerns about maintaining fairness, neutrality, and human judgment in courts.
She stressed that judicial independence today is not only about freedom from political or external pressure but also about freedom from technological influence. AI, she argued, should remain strictly an assistive tool used at the periphery, while the final reasoning and judgment must always remain with human judges.
Overall, the message is clear: while AI can support efficiency and research in the legal system, courts must ensure that it does not compromise judicial thinking. Maintaining independence in the AI era means preserving human control, accountability, and critical reasoning at every stage of the judicial process.
