In a pioneering move, the Kerala High Court has released a comprehensive policy regulating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within the state’s district judiciary. The court has explicitly barred the use of such tools for any form of legal reasoning or decision-making, marking a significant step in balancing technology with judicial integrity. The newly issued Policy Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in District Judiciary is aimed at ensuring that AI is employed solely as a supportive resource.

According to sources within the court, this is the first such policy to be implemented by any high court in the country, underlining Kerala’s proactive approach to the ethical challenges posed by AI in public institutions.

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Strict Guidelines to Safeguard Judicial Integrity

The policy urges district courts to exercise “extreme caution” when dealing with AI technologies, warning that unregulated or indiscriminate use could lead to violations of privacy, risks to data security, and ultimately, a loss of public trust in the judiciary. It makes it clear that AI is to be used only in a limited, responsible capacity and never as a replacement for human judicial reasoning. The policy states, “Under no circumstances shall AI tools be used to arrive at findings, grant relief, or deliver judgements. Judges bear full responsibility for the content and integrity of their orders.”

Broad Scope and Tight Controls

The policy is applicable to all members of the district judiciary in Kerala, including their staff, interns, and law clerks. It governs the use of all AI tools—particularly generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Deepseek, as well as databases leveraging AI to provide access to legal resources like case laws and statutes. Importantly, the guidelines apply regardless of where or when the AI tools are used and irrespective of whether they are accessed on personal devices, court-owned systems, or third-party platforms.

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Transparency, Human Oversight, & Data Audits Made Mandatory

To uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability, the policy mandates rigorous human supervision of AI tool usage. It discourages reliance on cloud-based services unless expressly approved and requires meticulous cross-verification of AI-generated content, including translations. Courts are also directed to maintain detailed records and audit logs of all instances involving AI use, including specifics about the tools used and how human users reviewed their outputs.

Ethics Training & Reporting Requirements

Further, the High Court’s policy advises judicial officers and staff to participate in training programs that address the ethical, legal, and practical aspects of AI. They are also instructed to report any inaccuracies or problems arising from the use of approved AI tools.

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Policy Compliance Is Non-Negotiable

Violation of any aspect of the policy may invite disciplinary proceedings, with the document clearly stating that existing rules governing judicial conduct will prevail in such cases. District judges and chief judicial magistrates have been tasked with disseminating the policy to all officers and staff within their jurisdiction, ensuring that it is strictly followed across the board.