The Supreme Court (SC) is set to develop an “AI Governance Framework for the Judiciary” to guide the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in court processes and operations.
Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen on November 6, outlined the framework’s scope, which includes AI applications in human resources, finance, security, legal research, document analysis, case management, and courtroom operations.
The framework will also emphasize ethical use of AI, adhering to principles of reliability, transparency, fairness, and accountability.
The SC has already begun pilot testing AI tools, including voice-to-text transcription software for court stenographers in the Sandiganbayan and select lower courts.
In addition, AI-enhanced platforms are being trialed to streamline legal research across various court offices.
However, Justice Leonen clarified that no AI systems have been fully implemented yet, as the judiciary is still mapping processes and evaluating scalable applications.
The framework will outline ethical and operational guidelines, emphasizing privacy, security, societal benefit, sustainability, human oversight, and accountability.
Complementing the AI initiative, the judiciary is advancing its eCourt System Version 2.0 (eCourt PH 2.0), which aims to digitalize adjudication processes.
This system includes eFiling and eService in civil cases, digital case management tools for trial and appellate courts, and digital appeals for civil cases.
Aligned with the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), this initiative aims to modernize workflows and enhance judicial efficiency and accuracy.
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