Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has cautioned that Artificial Intelligence (AI), despite its rapid growth and increasing influence, appears to carry an inherent bias against the poor, stressing that social justice continues to be the bedrock of a humane and equitable society.
Delivering the 8th Dinkar Memorial Lecture on ‘Rashmirathi: The Epic of Social Justice,’ organised by Respect India on Wednesday, the CJI said that the constitutional ideals of equality, dignity and justice were deeply embedded in the writings of celebrated poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar long before they found expression in the Constitution.
He observed that literature has historically played a transformative role in shaping social consciousness and said Dinkar’s works reflected the aspirations, struggles and moral spirit of the nation. Recalling his formative years, Justice Kant said his family encouraged him to read Dinkar alongside literary stalwarts such as Munshi Premchand, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Mahadevi Varma. According to him, their writings not only provided emotional resilience during the freedom struggle but also sparked social awakening among the masses.
The Chief Justice observed that just as great literature once provided the masses with both peace and a revolutionary spark, the law must today act as a dual force for social comfort and meaningful justice.
Speaking in Hindi, Justice Kant drew parallels between Dinkar’s poetry and the constitutional vision of social justice, observing that both emphasise equality, dignity and social harmony. He noted that Mahatma Gandhi had conferred upon Dinkar the title of “Rashtrakavi” because his writings captured the soul and aspirations of the nation.
Addressing contemporary concerns, the Chief Justice warned that artificial intelligence systems may replicate and reinforce existing social inequalities. He noted emerging evidence that artificial intelligence is not neutral, often reflecting and perpetuating social biases and discrimination.
He stressed that democracy can thrive only when equality, dignity and social harmony are protected, adding that legislation by itself is insufficient unless individuals are treated with respect in everyday life. The true measure of justice lies not in the statute books, but in the life experience of every citizen being treated with inherent dignity and respect, he asserted.
Justice Kant further remarked that despite constitutional guarantees, inequalities continued to persist even after seven decades, reaffirming that social justice remained central to a fair and inclusive social order. He also referred to the long-standing relationship between law and literature, noting that legal thought has often drawn from literary traditions, including the concept of “poetic justice” rooted in classical writings.
The Chief Justice observed that the integration of automated tools makes a judge’s role as a guardian of human values more vital than ever, while stressing the need for judicial education to evolve in order to identify and counter algorithmic bias. He also called for a ‘rigorous and forward-looking’ shift in judicial training, underscoring that ethics must remain central to the adoption of technology in courts.
CJI Kant asserted that while AI can effectively map trends in bail and sentencing, the power of final adjudication must be held exclusively by the judiciary to ensure human accountability. He stated that the goal was to cultivate a new era of legal professionals who utilise technology to enhance fairness, rather than allowing it to substitute for human judgement.
The event was attended by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh and Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari, who was conferred with the Dinkar Sanskriti Samman.
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