Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary: uses and threats

Abstract

Justice institutions have been slower than other government sectors to intensive use of Information Technology-IT. Nevertheless, there is an increasing volume of digital information resulting from IT in legal procedures in most countries. The repositories of such information/data bring up the opportunity to apply AI in justice-related organisations. AI can be used for a wide range of purposes that might help solve chronic problems in justice-related organisations, such as slow justice processes and high operating costs. At the same time, AI use raises important concerns about safeguarding the values of Justice. This article presents and discusses the applications of AI in support of the work of judges and the main threats to justice values posed by their use in courts.