CJ Gesmundo: AI is an assistive tool, not replacement for judicial reasoning

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Tuesday said that artificial intelligence is an assistive tool to improve court efficiency, not a replacement for judicial reasoning.

Speaking at the 2026 ASEAN Bar Leaders Summit, he said the SC is advancing the responsible use of AI in court operations through its Governance Framework on the Use of Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence in the Judiciary.

“From our perspective, AI is treated not as a replacement for judicial reasoning but as an assistive tool to improve efficiency, case management, and access to legal information,” he said in his speech.

“The Court’s Governance Framework reflects the balance between leveraging technology to deliver more responsive and timely justice and preserving accountability, ethics, and the primacy of human judgment,” he added.

According to Gesmundo, lawyers must tackle the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation.

He also stressed the need to strengthen institutional resilience.

“Our legal systems must be capable of not only adapting to change but also withstanding disruption, whether brought about by technological developments, global crises, or shifting societal expectations,” the Chief Justice said.

Gesmundo said they must also strengthen public trust, adding that transparency, accountability, and accessibility must remain central to their efforts.

“Innovation, while necessary, must always be guided by the fundamental objective of enhancing the public’s trust and confidence in the administration of justice,” he said.

“At all times, as we embrace innovation and pursue reform, we must ensure that our efforts are consistent with constitutional guarantees, protective of fundamental rights, and reflective of the values that define our democratic institutions,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gesmundo said Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen has proposed to the Supreme Court the institutional report for developmental and social change (DSC), or grassroots lawyering.

“DSC lawyering seeks to reach those who remain underserved due to poverty, geographic isolation, lack of economic opportunities, and social or cultural marginalization,” he said. — VBL, GMA News