'Don't just adapt but lead in determining use of technology to reshape legal system': CJI Surya Kant to NLUs

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has called upon national law universities to take a proactive role in shaping the future of the legal system through technology. Speaking at the Vice Chancellors' Conclave 2.0 at National Law University, Jodhpur, he urged institutions to move beyond merely adapting to technological changes and instead lead in determining how technology should reshape legal practices.

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Don't just adapt but lead in determining use of technology to reshape legal system

Justice Kant stressed that the legal profession cannot afford to be a late adopter of new technologies. He specifically addressed the growing debate around generative AI in legal education, rejecting calls for an outright ban. Instead, he advocated for the transparent and supervised use of such tools in classrooms, emphasizing that students must learn both their capabilities and limitations.

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Academic integrity and the responsible use of artificial intelligence must become important components of curriculum and pedagogy.

"Academic integrity and the responsible use of artificial intelligence must become important components of curriculum and pedagogy," Justice Kant stated, adding that "Change of this nature does not wait for institutional comfort." He highlighted that technology is already transforming various aspects of the legal ecosystem, from contract drafting and due diligence to legal research and dispute resolution.

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Change of this nature does not wait for institutional comfort.

The Chief Justice cautioned that mere familiarity with technology's output would not suffice. Graduates must be trained to question assumptions, verify conclusions, and exercise independent judgment. He warned that institutions resisting inevitable technological change risk losing their opportunity to influence its direction, urging law universities to anticipate developments and ensure technology serves the core values of law, justice, fairness, and human judgment.

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A graduate who understands only the output of a technological tool would remain dependent on it, while one trained to question assumptions, verify conclusions and exercise independent judgment could use technology without surrendering responsibility.