The Dean, College of Law, Caleb University, Professor Foluke Dada has advocated for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the justice system in Nigeria, saying that its adoption has the potential to transform legal processes, enhance efficiency, and improve access to justice.
Professor Foluke Dada who said this at the 8th Inaugural Lecture of the Caleb University, with the topic ” Human Rights In The Digital Age: Navigating Artificial Intelligence, Its Biases and Impact On The Nigerian Justice System held at the University Main Campus, Imota, Lagos.
According to the erudite scholar, From legal research and case analysis to judicial decision-making and court
administration, Al applications offer opportunities to streamline operations, reduce backlog, and promote fairness and transparency in the delivery of justice.
She said, “while AI offers opportunities for improving efficiency, accuracy, and access to justice, concerns about fairness, transparency, and potential biases necessitate careful evaluation and responsible implementation.
“Al offers several potential benefits in the legal field. Firstly, it can aid in case management through analyzing legal documents, identifying relevant precedents, and automating routine tasks, thereby expediting legal proceedings and enhancing judicial efficiency.
“Al-powered legal research tools can provide access to vast databases, analyze complex legal issues,
and generate insights to support evidence-based decision-making and legal arguments. It can improve efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, analyzing large volumes of data, and expediting various processes, which can save time and resources for judges, lawyers, and investigators.
“Predictive analytics using Al algorithms can analyze historical data, predict case outcomes, and identify patterns, assisting judges, lawyers, and policymakers in making informed decisions and effectively allocating resources.
Prof Foluke Dada said “AI technologies can improve access to justice by
providing legal information, guidance, and support to underserved populations, enhancing legal literacy, and empowering individuals to navigate the legal system more effectively.
Speaking on the challenges of AI in the administration of the justice system, she said Al systems may perpetuate bias and discrimination if they are trained on biased data or flawed algorithms, potentially leading to unfair outcomes and exacerbating existing inequalities in the justice system.
“Secondly, the opacity of AI decision-making processes and the lack of accountability mechanisms can raise concerns about due process, procedural fairness, and individuals’ rights to challenge Al-generated decisions.
She agreed that the use of AI in the justice system raises concerns about data privacy, confidentiality, and security, especially when sensitive legal
information is processed, shared, or stored in Al systems.
“The absence of clear legal and ethical frameworks governing the use of AI in the justice system poses challenges related to oversight, regulation, and compliance with human rights standards and legal principles.
While also agreeing that Al has the potential to exacerbate injustice in the legal system through several mechanisms such as automated decision-making by Al systems in legal proceedings, without human
intervention, may lack empathy, discretion, and contextual understanding, potentially leading to unjust or inaccurate outcomes.
“Secondly, over-reliance on Al technologies in critical legal processes without adequate human oversight and
accountability mechanisms can undermine due process, procedural fairness, and individuals’ rights to a fair trial.
“She added that unequal access to Al technologies and legal services may exacerbate disparities in legal representation, access to justice, and outcomes for marginalized individuals and communities, perpetuating injustice in the justice system.
“Faulty Al algorithms can result in algorithmic errors, leading to miscarriages of justice such as wrongful convictions or missed opportunities for exoneration.
While providing solutions to the above challenges, Prof Foluke Dada said it is essential to ensure that AI is used in a manner that upholds justice, fairness, and equality in the legal field.
She said addressing these challenges and ethical considerations is crucial for ensuring that Al is used responsibly and ethically in the legal field.
