Chennai: Madras High Court Judge, Justice P B Balaji, stressed on the need to treat Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a servant and never let it turn the boss, acknowledging the role AI can play in speeding up the judicial process in many ways.
Releasing a book, ‘Generative AI in the Courtroom, A practical handbook for modern justice’, authored by serial entrepreneur and political strategist, Aspire K Swaminathan, and advocate Anita Thomas on Saturday, he said AI could never write the judgment but help in reading documents.
The first copies of the book were received by PWC Davidar, advisor to the Tamil Nadu eGovernance Agency and Pro Vice Chancellor of Vijaybhoomi University and Professor of Practice at the Golden Gate University, San Francisco.
The book explores the transformative potential of Generative AI in the legal system and offers practical insights into how Indian legal professionals—from judges to lawyers and court administrators—can leverage AI tools to make justice delivery more efficient, accessible, and equitable.
Demystifying AI for judges, lawyers, and court staff with insights drawn from both India and other countries, it includes case studies that showcase AI’s practical application in legal research, decision-making, and court management.
It addresses ethical questions, privacy concerns, and data security and is specifically tailored to the Indian legal system. “Generative AI in the Courtroom” is structured as a hands-on guide, providing a roadmap for legal professionals to implement AI solutions in their daily practice.
In his foreword, Professor Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras and National Chair of the AI Task Force of the Government of India, says that the book vividly narrates the impact of adopting AI and underscores the balance between human judgment and AI assistance in the courtroom.
Swaminathan said, “Witnessing the long hours and exhaustive processes that lawyers and judges go through, I began to ask myself: If AI can transform sectors like healthcare and finance, why not the judiciary? As courts and law firms increasingly look toward technology for support, Generative AI offers promising tools that can relieve the burden on legal professionals.
Anita Thomas said, “While the courtroom is where the cases are won, it is the grind work that makes the difference. Experiencing the daily struggles we lawyers face, managing time between waiting in court while having to meet with clients, drafting and researching while dealing with court staff has me excited as to how AI can step in to assist us. AI is an ally, not a replacement. The book underscores how AI tools can augment our work allowing us to focus on what we should be doing.”
