International Association of Judges (IAJ) members from across the globe convened in Cape Town for the annual IAJ conference, this year hosted in collaboration with the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA).
This year’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence: Its Impact on Judicial Activities,” centred around the profound and multifaceted ways AI is reshaping the judicial landscape. With an agenda full of presentations, debates, and reflections, the conference provided a comprehensive look at AI’s present and potential future roles within the judiciary.
The conference opened with remarks from Mariya Badeva, from the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Law, who set the stage by emphasising AI’s rising influence across all sectors, including the judiciary.
Marilyn Huff, President of the First Study Commission of the IAJ, was the first speaker to explore the broader impacts of AI on the judiciary as a whole.
Following Marilyn, Margaret McKeown, President of the Fourth Study Commission of the IAJ, discussed AI’s implications for social law.
Leonie Reynolds, President of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) of the Council of Europe, provided the European perspective on AI’s role within the judiciary.
The final speaker, Giacomo Oberto, Secretary-General of the IAJ and President of the CEPEJ-SATURN Group of the Council of Europe, further expanded on the European approach. Oberto shared the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice’s (CEPEJ) position on AI, detailing the strategies in place to balance AI’s potential with the fundamental principles of justice.
A debate followed the presentations, where attendees had the chance to engage with the speakers, raising questions about AI’s ethical implications, potential biases, and the need for transparency.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Mariya Badeva, who reaffirmed the importance of collaborative international efforts to navigate AI’s complexities in judicial contexts.
The IAJ conference in Cape Town has set the stage for continued international dialogue on this topic, leaving attendees with a clear message: while AI holds potential to enhance judicial efficiency, its integration must be carefully managed to uphold the judiciary’s core values.
You can explore the panelists’ information here:
Giacomo Oberto, Secretary General of the IAJ – Artificial Intelligence and Judicial Activities: the Position of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)
Marilyn Huff, President of the First Study Commission of the IAJ – The Effects of Artificial Intelligence on the Judiciary as a Whole
Margaret McKeown, President of the Fourth Study Commission of the IAJ – Artificial Intelligence: its Impact on Social Law
Leonie Reynolds, President of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) of the Council of Europe – Artificial Intelligence and Judicial Activities: the Position of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE)