'You can teach a computer the law, not judgment' — Justice Kho

Technological changes in the legal profession were welcomed by Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr., who emphasized that the elements of passion, empathy, and a moral compass remain humans' enduring competitive advantage.

This was mentioned by Justice Kho in his keynote address at the San Beda Law Grand Alumni Homecoming held on 15 November 2025, at Seda, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, highlighting ongoing judicial reforms under the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), including the digitalization of court processes.

The SPJI, a transformative blueprint for building a modern, efficient, and people-centered Judiciary, champions reforms designed to make justice faster, more accessible, and worthy of public trust.

As the Judiciary undergoes digital transformation, Justice Kho cautioned that technology cannot replace human judgment, compassion, and ethical responsibility—qualities essential to the fair administration of justice.

Kho acknowledged the growing role of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law and addressed concerns that lawyers’ roles may be reduced as it takes over certain tasks. Justice Kho underscored what sets lawyers apart:

"You can teach a computer the law, but you cannot teach it judgment. You cannot teach it compassion. And you certainly cannot teach it the Bedan spirit of fighting tooth and nail for what is right. Our human element—our passion, our empathy, our moral compass—that is our enduring competitive advantage. Don’t ever let technology diminish the humanity you bring to the law."

Fellow Bedans were urged by Kho to uphold values that define the legal profession:

"Let us be the lawyers who choose integrity over convenience, compassion over ambition, and service over self-interest. Let us roar not in arrogance, but in courage. Not to dominate, but to defend. Not for ourselves, but for others. Because the true test of a Bedan lawyer is not in how loud he roars—but in how steadfast he stands when silence is easier."

He likewise honored San Beda for instilling faith, discipline, and humility, reminding alumni that these values remain irreplaceable in law practice.

"San Beda taught us that the practice of law is not a race to riches, but a lifelong mission of service and justice."

He proudly shared the Bedan principle of Ora et Labora—Pray and Work:

"We learned to pray for guidance, and then we learned to work like that prayer depended entirely on us. That is the Bedan difference…Wherever we go—in courtrooms, classrooms, boardrooms, or government offices—the lion within us continues to roar for what is right, what is fair, and what is just."