Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, recently delivered a speech emphasizing that no technology is neutral and how it reflects human values when deployed in the real world. Speaking at the 60th Convocation Ceremony of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, he highlighted the importance of considering the human and societal values that technology represents within its deployment context.

Chief Justice Chandrachud pointed out that technology doesn’t exist in a social vacuum. It operates within intricate societal realities, legal frameworks, and political structures. He specifically addressed the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting its immense potential as well as its capacity to perpetuate discrimination and unfair treatment.

AI has demonstrated biased decision-making based on data inputs that reflect societal prejudices. For example, AI recruitment tools have favored men over women due to being trained on successful male employees’ profiles. This demonstrates how data-driven systems can perpetuate biases and marginalize social control mechanisms.

The Chief Justice argued that the true redemption of technology lies in enabling freedoms and human rights of every individual. While technology has the ability to make us resilient to future threats, he expressed concerns about its potential misuse for bullying, threats, and deception.

Chief Justice Chandrachud also discussed the transformative power of science and technology in attaining human rights and liberty. He acknowledged that every incremental change in technology can bridge societal divides and secure justice. However, he cautioned that new technology can also facilitate unintended behaviors.

The Chief Justice highlighted the threat of surveillance through technology and the importance of privacy, confidentiality, security, transparency, and anonymity. He emphasized that technology and law should strive to secure these expectations.

Additionally, Chief Justice Chandrachud spoke about how technology has transformed the judicial system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of virtual courts enabled litigants and lawyers from outside Delhi to appear before the Supreme Court, making access to justice more inclusive. Virtual courts also facilitated the live-streaming of Constitution bench proceedings, allowing citizens to stay informed about ongoing cases.

Furthermore, the Chief Justice discussed the interplay between law and technology in facilitating progress. He emphasized that although technology may develop at a faster pace than the law, both constantly influence and push each other forward.

Overall, Chief Justice Chandrachud’s insights shed light on the crucial intersection of technology, human values, and the legal system, emphasizing the need for responsible and ethical deployment of technology.

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