Chief Justice: Technology must serve justice, not replace it

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo reminded judges that the technologies adopted by the Judiciary in its modernization efforts must always uphold the core values and principles of justice.

The chief magistrate delivered the keynote address at the 32nd National Convention and Seminar of the Philippine Trial Judges League, Inc. (PTJL) held on 23 October 2025 at the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center in San Fernando City, La Union.

He emphasized that while judicial innovations improve efficiency and accuracy, their use must remain anchored on the competence, integrity, probity, and independence of judges, officials, and personnel.

“A judiciary that harnesses technology wisely is one that listens, adapts, and remains sensitive to the evolving needs of the people it serves. By anchoring our innovations on ethical principles, we ensure that justice in the digital age does not lose its soul, but rather finds new strength in its purpose: to serve our people with greater integrity, transparency, accountability, and accessibility,” Gesmundo said.

He added that technology “must never erode the moral and ethical foundations upon which justice stands.”

The Chief Justice stressed that judicial innovations must strengthen, not undermine, the integrity of judicial processes — a message reflected in the convention’s theme: “Leveraging Judicial Innovations to Forge Ethical and Responsive Justice in the Digital Age.”

Through the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), the Supreme Court is pursuing a transformative path toward a judiciary that is more efficient, innovative, and accessible, delivering real-time justice. Now in its third year, the SPJI has introduced major initiatives, including the development of an AI Governance Policy Framework and revisions to existing codes of conduct for judges and court personnel.

The revised codes will address modern ethical challenges such as the responsible use of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial work.

“As I have expressed in previous occasions, while artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency and accuracy in judicial work, it cannot and should not replace the uniquely human qualities essential to the administration of justice. In this technological age, courts must use AI as a tool to assist, not replace, independent judgment. For judges must always remember that they deal with real people whose lives and liberties are affected by their decisions. Thus, justice must remain guided by humanity, fairness, and reason,” Gesmundo said.