What Supreme Court’s proposed regulations for AI use in courts mean
The Supreme Court’s proposed “Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026” may well be one of the most consequential judicial reform initiatives in recent years. Released during the tenure of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, the draft framework is not merely a technology policy but also an attempt to answer a question that courts across the world are grappling with: how should the justice system harness the benefits of AI without compromising judicial independence, due process, fairness, and human judgment? India is among the first major jurisdictions attempting to create a comprehensive judicial AI governance architecture. (HT PHOTO) What makes the draft particularly noteworthy is that it neither treats AI as a threat to be resisted nor as a miracle solution to judicial delays. Instead, it adopts a carefully balanced approach of encouraging innovation while imposing clear red lines around areas where machines cannot be allowed to intrude. The regulations apply not only to the Supreme Court and high courts but also to district courts, tribunals, and statutory adjudicatory bodies …
