Beyond the Courts: Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Change in Justice Administration

Abstract

In the context of technological advances, the concept of digital justice is emerging, an extra-judicial sphere that uses technologies such as artificial intelligence to address controversial situations through physical assistants or even robots, if the litigant so wishes. Thus, while AI is effective in resolving simple disputes without human intervention, even UNESCO warns against its exclusivity in more complicated cases. From this perspective, through a qualitative approach and literature review, this research focused on examining the benefits and limitations of AI in the administration of justice. The review of the academic literature reveals that this technology facilitates the functions performed by judges and lawyers in controversial situations. The studies, however, point to the importance of using human intelligence in law making and more general judicial processes. In conclusion, AI improves the efficiency of the administration of justice; however, its place in judicial operations and process should only be complementary to the use of human intervention. This action maintains fairness and considers the ethical point at stake, reaffirms the existence of some irreplaceable human capabilities in the judicial process.