Supreme Court approves AI guidelines for court use

Supreme Court of the Philippines has approved a new framework governing the use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary, setting rules to ensure human oversight and accountability.

The policy, called the Governance Framework on Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence, establishes guidelines for how AI tools can be used across courts, emphasizing that technology should assist, not replace, human judgment.

At the core of the framework are three principles: fairness, accountability, and transparency. The Court said these are meant to strengthen public trust in the judicial system while ensuring ethical use of AI.

A key provision states that AI outputs cannot be the sole basis for court decisions. Judges and legal professionals remain fully responsible for legal reasoning and final rulings.

The framework also mandates disclosure whenever AI tools are used. Court personnel must specify the tool, its purpose, and the level of human oversight involved, while taking full responsibility for the output.

The rules cover a range of use cases, including legal research, document summarization, transcription, and proofreading. However, sensitive or confidential information cannot be processed using AI without proper authorization.

Implementation will be done in phases, starting with pilot testing. A dedicated committee will also be formed to oversee AI adoption and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

The Supreme Court said the framework aligns with global best practices and includes safeguards against risks such as bias, misuse, and data privacy violations.