Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj has launched an interactive series, 'In Conversation with Legal Luminary', with the inaugural episode featuring Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh.
Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh spoke on the theme 'Law and Artificial Intelligence (AI)'. Highlighting the dual nature of AI, which he described as a 'double-edged sword.'
"While AI has revolutionized research, particularly in the legal domain, its reliability remains questionable due to the dependence on algorithm-driven databases," said Justice Singh while noting that AI-generated citations are often incorrect, raising questions about the integrity of legal scholarship.
Justice Singh, while discussing copyright and intellectual property rights, added,
"Under Indian law, copyright is not granted to non-human entities, thereby excluding AI-generated works from protection."
He acknowledged the potential for future amendments in copyright law, considering the extent of AI involvement in creative outputs.
During the Q&A sessions, Justice Singh responded to a student's question on the role of AI in justice delivery mechanisms. He asserted that while AI may assist in handling minor legal matters, such as traffic challans, its reliability in judicial decision-making is questionable.
He underscored that justice is a product of human evolution, shaped by complex circumstances and evidence that AI cannot fully comprehend.
Justice Singh further elaborated on India's gradual adoption of AI in legal processes, including virtual courts and case segregation, while emphasizing that judicial pronouncements must remain a human prerogative.
Justice Singh raised concerns regarding the ethical implications of AI in the legal system. Questioning the reliability of AI algorithms, he warned that the forces behind AI development may not always be trustworthy.
He stressed that justice is an evolving concept, noting that societal notions of justice have changed significantly over the decades. A key challenge, he suggested, is ensuring that AI can deliver unbiased justice, a task that remains an ethical and technical challenge.
Vice Chancellor of RPNLU, Senior Prof (Dr) Usha Tandon contributed to the discussion, highlighting the growing use of AI-powered bots in judicial systems across developed nations. She noted that AI has facilitated judicial work in some countries, but India remains cautious about fully integrating AI into its judiciary.
A highlight of the event was the rapid-fire round, where Justice Singh shared candid insights on various legal and societal issues. He speculated that LGBTQ+ marriages may be legalized in the future.
He also firmly rejected the idea of replacing judicial functions with AI and expressed scepticism about AI's role as a legal assistant.
The series is an outcome of the academic vision of Vice-Chancellor, RPNLU, Senior Prof (Dr) Usha Tandon with an aim to provide students with an opportunity to engage with legal experts on contemporary issues.
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