ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan has raised serious concerns about artificial intelligence in judicial processes. He warned that robot judges would always remain subservient to their programmers.
In a letter to Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Ejaz outlined the dangers of relying on AI-assisted justice. The letter, also shared with all IHC judges, questioned whether machines could ever ensure fairness and moral reasoning.
He stated that artificial intelligence operates only within the limits of the codes fed into it. According to him, such systems lack the human ability to understand ethics, emotions, and context. “Robot judges will always follow their programmers,” he emphasized.
Justice Ejaz highlighted that computers cannot form independent opinions or deliver truth-based judgments. He said they process data but fail to comprehend the human side of justice.
He admitted that his views had changed after the full court meeting held on September 3. “Earlier, I disagreed with critics,” he wrote, “but after the recent discussion, I now share their concerns.”
The judge supported the opinions of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, who also opposed AI in court functions. They warned that technology could undermine judicial independence and human judgment.
The full court meeting, chaired by Chief Justice Dogar, discussed the Practice and Procedure Rules and Establishment Rules. Both sets of rules were approved by majority vote, but Justice Ejaz was among five judges who voted against them.
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