In April and May 2025, IAJ members engaged in consultations with the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Professor Margaret Satterthwaite, to inform her forthcoming thematic report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Judicial Systems.
On 24 April, IAJ members from Latin America participated in a virtual discussion. This was convened in partnership with the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, and included participants from Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Panama, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. The delegates heard a special presentation on the new AI tool Sor Juana, in use in Mexico. This is currently in a pilot phase at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, and is designed to provide information to the public about decisions and sentencing. The delegates then had 5 minutes to present on the situation in their country, before participating in an open discussion with the Special Rapporteur.
Delegates from Europe and North America met with the Special Rapporteur virtually on 29 April. Participants from Spain, the United States, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Armenia and Bulgaria were in attendance.
On 1 May, members from Asia and Oceania also participated in a virtual consultation. The discussion included delegates from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
Finally, on 2 May, judges and other experts from Africa took part in a virtual consultation hosted by the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum. Countries represented included Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, South Africa, Malawi and Senegal, and the delegates were also joined by representatives of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, and several NGOs.
In each of these consultations, topics addressed included the absence of specific regulatory frameworks for AI in many states; the importance of adequate resources to train judges and build their capacity, and to ensure technological tools can be developed and maintained; and the need to ensure AI does not become a substitute for human judgment. Participants noted the benefits of AI for translation and transcription and ensuring faster work flows. But there was broad agreement that AI could not replace the sensitive and nuanced work of a judge. Participants stressed the importance of a cautious approach to AI adoption, and ensuring that tools are appropriately tailored to local contexts. They agreed that it is important to continue to engage in conversation, and learn what judges in other jurisdictions are doing.
