Supreme Court Suggests Guidelines for Use of Artificial Intelligence

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday recommended the development of clear guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the country’s judicial system.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah issued an 18-page detailed verdict highlighting the potential role of AI tools in supporting the legal and judicial process. The ruling discussed the benefits of AI platforms like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, particularly for enhancing legal research and assisting in draughting court judgements.

According to the verdict, the use of AI could increase the efficiency and capacity of the judiciary, much like practices already adopted by judges in other parts of the world. However, it also stressed that AI should strictly serve as a supportive tool rather than replacing the independent thinking and decision-making of judges.

Justice Shah clarified that AI’s role is limited to smart legal research and should not interfere with the core judicial responsibilities of interpretation and decision-making. He emphasised that under no circumstances should AI override human judgement in court proceedings.

The ruling further suggested that the Judicial Reform Committee (JRC) and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan should take responsibility for framing comprehensive guidelines. These would outline the appropriate use, limits, and ethical considerations of AI tools in Pakistan’s legal system.