Justice KV Viswanathan of the Supreme Court cautioned about the perils of AI translation in legal contexts, citing a misinterpretation of 'leave granted' in a ruling. He highlighted the need for careful use of technology in legal proceedings.
Justice KV Viswanathan Warns Against Risks of AI in Legal Translation
Supreme Court Justice KV Viswanathan has expressed concerns regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in translating legal documents, citing specific instances of misinterpretation that can lead to serious implications.
In a recent address, Justice Viswanathan recounted an incident where the AI translation of 'leave granted' resulted in the misleading Hindi phrase 'Chutti swikriti', which inaccurately suggested that a litigant’s leave had been approved, thereby misrepresenting the judicial intent and potentially causing confusion.
This highlights the urgent need for legal professionals to critically evaluate AI tools used in the judicial process and remain vigilant about the accuracy of technology-assisted translations. Justice Viswanathan's remarks serve as a reminder to practitioners to prioritize human oversight in legal translations.
In the context of increasing reliance on technology in law, this cautionary note invites professionals to ensure that the application of AI in legal contexts does not compromise the integrity of judicial communications.
Citations
- Remarks by Justice KV Viswanathan (2026) SC
