New Delhi: The AI tools usage in law schools debate gained fresh attention after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant advised educational institutions against completely banning artificial intelligence tools. Speaking at an academic event, the CJI said law students should be taught how to use AI responsibly, ethically, and effectively rather than being prevented from using it. He emphasized that technology should support legal education while human judgment remains at the center of decision-making.
CJI Surya Kant Opposes Blanket Ban on AI Tools Usage in Law Schools
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said law schools should not completely prohibit the use of AI and other emerging technologies in classrooms.
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He stated that students entering the legal profession will increasingly work in environments where AI tools are already becoming common. Therefore, legal education must prepare them for this reality.
Students Must Learn AI Under Supervision
Addressing the Second Edition of the Vice Chancellor’s Conclave organized by the National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur, the CJI said students should be introduced to AI in a supervised and transparent manner.
According to him, banning AI tools will not protect students. Instead, it may leave them unprepared for future workplaces where such technologies are widely used.
AI Tools Usage in Law Schools: Technology Should Assist, Not Replace Human Judgment
The Chief Justice stressed that AI should be used as a support tool rather than a replacement for legal reasoning. He said law schools must teach students how to identify when technology can assist, when its outputs should be questioned, and when human judgment must take priority.
AI Can Transform the Legal Profession
CJI Surya Kant noted that technology is already changing several aspects of the legal profession. AI-powered tools are helping lawyers in legal research, contract drafting, due diligence, evidence management, dispute resolution, and regulatory analysis.
He added that future lawyers will increasingly use systems capable of reviewing large volumes of legal information within seconds.
AI Tools Usage in Law Schools: Law Schools Must Lead the Change
The CJI urged National Law Universities and other legal institutions to move beyond simply adapting to technology. He encouraged them to become centers for research on topics such as algorithmic accountability, data protection, digital access to justice, and technology-enabled dispute resolution.
What is the Importance of Critical Thinking
The Chief Justice warned that excessive dependence on AI could affect a student’s ability to think independently. He said legal education should focus on developing critical thinking skills so that graduates can evaluate AI-generated outputs rather than blindly accepting them. Students must understand the strengths, limitations, and risks associated with AI systems.
AI Tools Usage in Law Schools: Technology Must Improve Access to Justice
CJI Surya Kant emphasized that technological progress should not come at the cost of fairness. While AI can improve efficiency in legal services, its benefits should be available to people beyond major cities and well-resourced institutions. He said innovation should help make justice faster and more accessible without compromising fairness and accountability.
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