China Orders AI Into the Courtroom
January 11, 2023
China is simply delighted with the possibilities of AI technology. In fact, it is now going so far as to hand most of its legal services over to algorithms. ZDNet reports, “China Wants Legal Sector to be AI-Powered by 2025.” Yep, once those algorithms are set up justice in China can be automated. Efficient. Objective. What’s not to like? Writer Eileen Yu explains:
“The country’s highest court said all courts were required to implement a ‘competent’ AI system in three years, according to a report by state-owned newspaper China Daily, pointing to guidelines released by the Supreme People’s Court. The document stated that a ‘better regulated’ and more effective infrastructure for AI use would support all processes needed in handling legal cases. This should encompass in-depth integration of AI, creation of smart courts, and higher level of ‘digital justice’, the high court said. A more advanced application of AI, however, should not adversely affect national security or breach state secrets as well as violate personal data security, the document noted, stressing the importance of upholding the legitimacy and security of AI in legal cases. It added that rulings would remain decisions made by human judges, with AI tapped as supplemental references and tools to improve judges’ efficiency and ease their load in trivial matters. An AI-powered system also would offer the public greater access to legal services and help resolve issues more effectively, the Supreme People’s Court said.”
We’re sure that is exactly how it will work out, making life better for citizens caught up in the legal system. The directive also instructs courts train their workers on using AI, specifically on learning to spot irregularities. What could go wrong? At least final decisions will be made by humans. For now. To make matters even trickier, the Supreme People’s Court is planning to use blockchain technology to link courts to other sectors in support of socioeconomic development. Because what is more important in matters of justice than how they affect the almighty yuan?
Cynthia Murrell, January 11, 2023
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