How AI Can Improve India’s Justice System

Source: The post How AI Can Improve India’s Justice System has been created, based on the article “Law, order and AI: New technologies can enable greater efficiency and transparency in tackling crime and delivering justice” published in “Indian Express” on 5th March 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Science and technology

Context: The article discusses how AI can help improve India’s criminal justice system by making police work and court processes more efficient and transparent. It suggests using AI for managing cases, analyzing data, and reducing backlogs in courts.

For detailed information on AI’s best use case may actually be in our judicial system read this article here

How Are the US and China Competing in AI Development?

1. US Stargate AI Initiative: The US has launched a massive $100 billion initiative aimed at advancing AI technologies and securing its leadership in the global AI race.
2. China’s Approach: In contrast, China is focusing on developing cost-effective AI technologies, such as the LLMs QWQ and DeepSeek, making AI accessible and competitive.
3. Global Impact: These strategic moves by both superpowers are pivotal, shaping the future of global technology and security landscapes, with each country pushing to outpace the other in AI capabilities and influence.

How Can AI Transform Crime and Crime Control?

1. Enhancing Cybercrime Methods: AI enables criminals to use text generation, image creation, and voice cloning more efficiently. This makes traditional methods of cybercrime more advanced and harder to detect.
2. Improving Police Efficiency: AI can streamline complaint registration, track investigations, and suggest necessary steps. This can help handle the heavy workload of police in India effectively.
3. Predictive Policing: AI can analyze crime location data, patrolling patterns, and routes used by offenders to develop predictive models. This guides police operations strategically.
4. Reducing Administrative Burden: AI can manage spreadsheets, images, and audio data, freeing police personnel for fieldwork like investigations and traffic management.
5. Supporting SMART Policing: AI aligns with India’s SMART policing goals by making data interpretation strategic, meticulous, and transparent.

What Policy Measures Can Help Integrate AI in Justice Administration?

1. Massive Backlog: Indian courts have a backlog of over 50 million cases, making justice delivery slow and inefficient.
2. Limitations of Traditional Solutions: Increasing courts and personnel has high costs with limited impact.
3. AI-Powered Transcription: AI can automate court proceedings transcription, saving time and reducing manual work.
4. Efficient Case Management: AI can organize, store, and access case files swiftly, improving document handling and reducing delays.
5. Fraud Detection: AI can detect fraud or contradictions in documents submitted to courts, ensuring accuracy.
6. Legal Research Support: AI can quickly compare previous judgments, aiding judges in bail and sentencing decisions.
7. Supervisory Efficiency: AI can help higher courts oversee the workload of lower courts more effectively.

Question for practice:

Examine how AI can help reduce the judicial backlog in India by improving efficiency and transparency in court processes.