ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan has expressed strong reservations over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial functions, warning that reliance on machines for legal decision-making could lead to what he termed “robotic justice.”
In a formal letter addressed to Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar — and shared with all IHC judges — Justice Ejaz raised concerns about the growing discourse on introducing AI into the judicial system. His remarks referenced discussions from a recent full court meeting chaired by Chief Justice Dogar on the potential role of computers and robots in court proceedings.
Justice Ejaz wrote that the deployment of AI in judicial processes is a complex global debate, stressing that no computer or robot can possess moral reasoning or independent judicial judgement.
“Any decision made by an AI system would remain bound by the programming and data input it receives,” he cautioned, adding that “robotic or computer judges will merely mirror the biases and limitations of their programmers.”
He further observed that critics of AI in courts argue such systems are inherently controllable — their ‘reasoning’ shaped by their coding — which raises concerns about fairness, impartiality, and accountability in the administration of justice.
Justice Ejaz’s warning adds to the ongoing judicial conversation on technology’s role in Pakistan’s legal system, urging caution before integrating artificial intelligence into the sensitive process of human adjudication.
