{"id":386822,"date":"2026-06-11T11:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=386822"},"modified":"2026-06-11T11:34:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T06:04:56","slug":"cji-surya-kant-on-ai-digital-justice-fundamental-rights-at-oxford-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/06\/11\/cji-surya-kant-on-ai-digital-justice-fundamental-rights-at-oxford-union\/","title":{"rendered":"Fundamental Rights Must Protect Citizens with Equal Ferocity in Both the Physical and Digital Worlds: CJI Surya Kant at Oxford Union on AI, Access to Justice and Constitutional Governance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant<\/span>, delivered an address at the Oxford Union on the theme, “Constitutional Promise to Digital Reality: Safeguarding Justice in the Age of AI and Technological Advancement”.<\/span> The event was organised by the Oxford Law Society and the Oxford Union along with Ms. Tanvi Dubey<\/span>, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India.<\/p>\n

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The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Ms. Dubey, following which Justice Surya Kant delivered his keynote address and later participated in a moderator-led discussion and audience interaction.<\/p>\n

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Constitution must evolve with technological change<\/p>\n

Beginning his address, Justice Surya Kant described the Constitution as an organic and living institution that must continuously adapt to changing social and technological realities.<\/p>\n

Invoking Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Justice Surya Kant observed that while constitutional values such as liberty, equality and justice remain constant, the mechanisms through which they are realised continue to evolve. He underscored that constitutional protections risk becoming ineffective if they fail to keep pace with technological developments.<\/p>\n

He cautioned that fundamental rights would become “otiose”<\/span> if they were not reinterpreted and protected within the context of the digital age.<\/p>\n

Article 21 and Digital Access to Justice<\/p>\n

Justice Surya Kant highlighted how technological interventions have expanded access to justice in India.<\/p>\n

Referring to virtual hearings, electronic filing systems and live-streaming of court proceedings, he stated that such initiatives deepen the constitutional guarantee of access to justice by reducing geographical and financial barriers that often prevent citizens from approaching courts. However, he also warned against the dangers of digital exclusion.<\/p>\n

He further observed that the constitutional promise remains unfulfilled if a citizen cannot navigate a virtual court. Emphasising the need for inclusive technological reforms, he stated that the fundamental rights must protect citizens with equal ferocity in both the physical and digital worlds. He highlighted that technological innovation can only succeed when it remains accessible to all sections of society.<\/p>\n

Digital Institutionalisation of the Judiciary<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the transformation of the judiciary after the COVID-19 pandemic he noted that many innovations introduced during the pandemic have now become permanent features of the justice delivery system. He described the emergence of a digital-first judicial ecosystem and highlighted several technological initiatives undertaken by the Indian judiciary.<\/p>\n

AI-Driven Accessibility<\/p>\n

Justice Surya Kant referred to SUVAS<\/span>, an AI-powered translation platform that converts judicial decisions written in English into regional languages, thereby making legal information more accessible to citizens. He also highlighted Su Sahay<\/span>, an AI-powered virtual assistant that provides procedural guidance and facilitates easier access to court-related information.<\/p>\n

Efficiency and Transparency<\/p>\n

Further, Justice Surya Kant referred to the One Case One Data<\/span> initiative, which integrates case-management systems with the national e-Courts framework in order to eliminate administrative bottlenecks and improve efficiency.<\/p>\n

AI Regulatory Consultations<\/p>\n

He also informed the audience that consultations concerning draft AI regulations are presently underway, reflecting efforts to create an appropriate governance framework for emerging technologies.<\/p>\n

AI as an Aid, Not a Replacement<\/p>\n

Speaking about the growing role of artificial intelligence in legal systems worldwide, Justice Surya Kant observed that AI is creating opportunities for greater interaction between courts across jurisdictions. He stated that while courts remain rooted in their own constitutional traditions, technological tools now allow judges and legal systems to learn from comparative experiences more effectively than ever before.<\/p>\n

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Referring to judicial platforms such as SUPACE<\/span> and SUVAS<\/span>, he clarified that India’s approach to AI remains centred on augmenting judicial functioning rather than replacing human decision-making. According to him technology should preserve and enhance human intellect, not substitute it.<\/p>\n

Privacy, Surveillance and Misinformation<\/p>\n

Addressing concerns associated with rapid technological growth, Justice Surya Kant called for strong ethical safeguards and institutional accountability. He stressed that data collected for judicial administration must remain protected under the constitutional right to privacy and should never become part of surveillance infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Justice Surya Kant also expressed concern regarding the circulation of out-of-context clips from live-streamed court proceedings on social media. He pointed out that appropriate regulatory safeguards are necessary to prevent judicial discussions from being misrepresented or misunderstood.<\/p>\n

‘AI Cannot Replicate Human Sentiment’<\/p>\n

Concluding his address, Justice Surya Kant underscored the limitations of artificial intelligence. He firmly stated that AI cannot replicate human sentiment, empathy and contextual understanding. He remarked that the technological integration must complement rather than substitute judicial decision-making, ensuring that progress remains guided by constitutional discipline and human values.<\/p>\n

Moderator Discussion and Audience Q&A<\/p>\n

Following the keynote address, Justice Surya Kant participated in an extensive discussion covering judicial administration, case pendency, sentencing reforms, gender representation, judicial transparency and constitutional values.<\/p>\n