Attorney General R. Venkataramani calls for AI-driven transformation of legal education and justice at PALETTE Centre launch

Attorney General R. Venkataramani Advocates AI Integration in Legal Systems at PALETTE Centre Launch

At the launch of the PALETTE Centre, Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani called for a fundamental rethink in how legal systems function in the age of artificial intelligence. He proposed a "compact of knowledge systems" that bridges law, technology, and society, highlighting AI’s potential to improve truth discovery and the delivery of justice.

Venkataramani described the PALETTE Centre as a "laboratory for justice" dedicated to training legal professionals skilled not only in AI but also in ethical reasoning. He emphasized that this initiative is about redefining justice in a data-driven environment, rather than merely focusing on technical innovation.

Bridging Law and Technology

Speaking at the joint launch by BITS Law School and PanScience Innovations, the Attorney General stressed the importance of integrating technology into legal practice. “We need to create a compact of knowledge systems where law meets technology and technology informs law,” he said.

Reflecting on his early legal training, Venkataramani recalled how libraries filled with English law books were once essential for a lawyer’s esteem. Today, he noted, the reading list has evolved to include broader sources, reflecting a curiosity to explore how human creativity and technology can improve the world.

From Physics to Philosophy: The Challenge of AI in Justice

Venkataramani, who holds a degree in physics and once considered engineering at BITS Pilani, returned decades later to speak at this significant event. His address blended humor and insight, sharing how he declined AI-generated speech drafts and questioned whether AI can grasp the moral and emotional depth that justice demands.

He described the human mind as wearing "dual hats" — one impulsive, the other reflective — and suggested that those involved in law have a unique role in shaping how technology serves human rights and ethical enforcement. According to him, AI’s role must extend beyond efficiency to consider truth, bias, and human values.

Rethinking Truth Discovery and Justice

Venkataramani challenged the traditional court hierarchy’s ability to uncover truth effectively. He asked if AI could become a significant aid in this process, given that truth discovery is central to justice.

Drawing on his experience with legal aid and landmark cases, he acknowledged that all legal reasoning carries some bias, even if deemed "right bias." He questioned who decides the quality of these biases and whether AI can engage with and offer solutions to this issue.

The Vision Behind the PALETTE Centre

The Attorney General praised the PALETTE Centre’s goal to cultivate a new generation of legal professionals fluent in AI and ethics. He urged law schools to evolve into research and development hubs that go beyond conventional training and cost-driven approaches.

He imagined a future where courts move away from adversarial battles to collaborative systems involving legal technologists, data scientists, and human rights experts. “The adversarial system is already like the leaning tower of Pisa, leaning rapidly towards its failures,” he warned.

With a touch of humor, Venkataramani suggested that ministries might eventually replace human legal officers with AI centers providing legal opinions, potentially leading to a future with multiple "artificial intelligence generals" instead of a single Attorney General for India.

He concluded by praising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, calling him "the Dean of Deans," and expressed his own interest in joining the PALETTE Centre as a student.

Event Participants

• Dr. Anshul V. Pandey of PanScience Innovations
• Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, Dean of BITS Law School
• Former Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

The PALETTE Centre represents a step forward in equipping legal professionals with the tools and perspectives necessary for a justice system that embraces technology while maintaining its commitment to ethics and truth.

For legal professionals interested in gaining practical AI skills relevant to the legal sector, exploring AI training courses can be a valuable step. Platforms like Complete AI Training offer tailored programs suited for various job roles, including legal experts aiming to integrate AI into their work.