THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE JUDICIARY: ETHICAL AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES

Abstract

The growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the Judiciary has altered, sometimes subtly and sometimes not so subtly, the way internal routines and decisions are constructed. This movement, which is often presented as inevitable, raises legitimate questions about its effects on the institutional structure and on the very idea of justice. In this article, a qualitative reading of recent studies, official documents, technical reports, and national and international standards is used to map how these technologies have been incorporated and which tensions emerge in this process. It is of interest to observe both the simpler uses — data organization, procedural screening — and those that approach decision-making, where delicate issues arise: model opacity, risk of bias, impact on judicial autonomy, and the responsibilities placed on public institutions. The analysis suggests that AI may contribute to a more rational management of the Judiciary, but only when subjected to governance arrangements that do not treat the algorithm as an absolute truth. Ultimately, safeguarding fundamental rights requires that technology serve as an instrument, and not as a substitute, for human reflection.