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UNESCO and National Law University collaborate to strengthen South Asia’s Judiciary through the "AI and the Rule of Law" Workshop
The UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia and the National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) successfully concluded their three-day international conference, "AI and the Rule of Law," aimed at equipping judicial actors with essential knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI). The workshop brought together judges, legal experts, policymakers, and AI specialists from across South Asia.
Strengthening knowledge among judges is one of the most effective ways one can safeguard human rights in this new era of algorithmic governance.
UNESCO’s “Global toolkit on AI and the rule of law for the judiciary” played a crucial role in clarifying how AI can be applied in the judicial system. This toolkit developed from consultations held earlier in the year, incorporates recommendations from judicial actors on how AI can simplify their work.
A key follow-up from these consultations was a workshop providing specialized training for judges, attorney, and judicial staff on using AI in legal settings- particularly in courtrooms.
As legal systems worldwide adopt AI tools to improve decision-making, expedite case management, and enhance access to justice, this topic is particularly pertinent. Strengthening the capabilities of legal practitioners enables them to recognize AI’s limitations, particularly concerning ethical issues and biases, thereby reducing risks to the rule of law.
The workshop provided valuable insights through sessions and panel discussions on critical aspects of AI in the legal system. Topics included ethics and accountability—where panelists highlighted the risks of bias and discrimination and emphasized aligning AI with principles that protect human rights. AI in judicial decision-making was another focus, with participants debating the advantages and challenges of AI-powered tools in courtrooms and stressing the necessity of keeping a “human in the loop” to mitigate unintended outcomes. Additionally, privacy and data security emerged as key concerns, with discussions underscoring the need for strict data security and privacy measures, particularly as AI often involves handling sensitive information.
The collaboration between UNESCO and NLU Delhi aims to establish guidelines for AI governance, especially in areas where accountability and equity are paramount. The conference provided a replicable model for other nations by encouraging cooperation between legal experts and technologists, paving the way for ethical, human-centered AI practices in court systems
This conference marks a milestone in shaping AI's future in the legal realm. We are dedicated to making sure that justice, equity, and human rights continue to be priorities as we get ready for a world that is becoming more and more AI-enabled.
This event's success signals the beginning of mainstreaming AI literacy into the legal profession. By providing a vision of an AI-enabled future that emphasizes human values, rights, and responsibility in all areas of law and governance, the "AI and the Rule of Law" meeting has initiated a network for regional cooperation on AI ethics in South Asia.
