The Supreme Court (SC) announced that it will draft guidelines for the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various court operations and management areas.
A magistrate said on Monday that the “AI Governance Framework” is a key step toward modernizing the judiciary’s systems and workflows and is aligned with the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.
In a press briefing, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen shared that the framework will provide standards for using AI in court administration, such as human resource, finance, and security, as well as in legal research, document analysis, courtroom applications, and case management.
The envisioned framework will incorporate ethical guidelines for AI deployment, focusing on core principles such as reliability, transparency, accountability, fairness and non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, human agency and oversight, security and safety, societal benefit, sustainability (resources and ecology), and continuous monitoring.
Leonen emphasized that the SC is “actively exploring AI’s potential to enhance judicial efficiency and accuracy.”
He clarified, however, that while the High Court is aware of advanced AI tools such as GPT, it has not yet fully implemented any AI systems.
The SC remains in the process of digitalizing its procedures, mapping processes, and carefully evaluating which AI applications will be scalable for a broader rollout, the magistrate explained.
Likewise, it has already commenced pilot testing AI technologies, including voice-to-text transcription software for court stenographers in the Sandiganbayan and select first-and second-level courts.
Several offices within the Court are also trialing AI-enhanced platforms designed to streamline legal research.
Other developments also include the eCourt System Version 2.0 (eCourt PH 2.0), which aims to digitalize adjudication processes through eFiling and eService in civil cases in trial courts, digital case management tools for trial courts, appellate and Supreme Court management applications, and digital appeals for civil cases.
Leonen said these initiatives reflect the SC’s ongoing efforts “to adopt innovative technology in service of a modern, fair, and efficient justice system.”
