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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping governance globally, with nations like the United States and China making significant investments in AI-led legal and policing reforms. The U.S. government’s $100 billion Stargate AI Initiative and China’s development of cost-effective large language models (LLMs) like QWQ and DeepSeek highlight the competitive race for technological dominance. For India, grappling with over 50 million pending cases, AI offers a transformative opportunity to enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust in its criminal justice system.

AI in Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention

India’s SMART policing initiative—Strategic, Meticulous, Adaptable, Reliable, Transparent—can be significantly enhanced through AI integration. AI tools such as Automated FIR registration (e.g., Mumbai Police’s AI-assisted e-FIR system) reduce administrative burdens and accelerate complaint processing. Predictive policing, using crime mapping and data analysis like that piloted by Delhi Police, helps identify crime hotspots. AI-enabled facial recognition systems, like the Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) of NCRB, assist in criminal identification.

Cybersecurity also benefits from AI. Organizations like CERT-In deploy AI to counter phishing, ransomware, and deepfake threats. Banks and law enforcement utilize AI-based fraud detection systems, such as those powered by RBI’s CRILC, to flag suspicious transactions. AI tools are increasingly used to detect deepfakes and synthetic media, enhancing digital forensics.

Moreover, AI can assist in real-time crime analysis. Field-level policing data—such as offender patterns and patrol routes—can feed AI models to guide proactive interventions. Supervisory efficiency improves through AI-powered collation and analysis of data at the district level, allowing redeployment of personnel from administrative roles to core policing duties.

AI in the Judicial System

In courts, AI supports the e-Courts Project by digitizing case files, reducing delays in documentation and improving record management. Tools like SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency) assist judges in legal research, precedent identification, and judgment writing. AI-driven real-time transcription systems, being piloted in the U.S., can improve transparency and reduce dependence on manual record-keeping.

AI also plays a role in bail and sentencing decisions. For instance, the Delhi High Court is exploring AI-based risk assessment tools to promote consistency. Additionally, AI tools can detect anomalies in legal documents, preventing delays due to forged or inaccurate filings.

Challenges and the Way Forward

The integration of AI into justice faces several challenges. AI models trained on biased data, as seen in the U.S. tool COMPAS, can perpetuate systemic inequities. Privacy concerns are also paramount and must align with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Implementation gaps include the lack of AI literacy among legal and police personnel and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework, as highlighted by the B.N. Srikrishna Committee.

To overcome these, India must establish a central AI Justice Task Force, expand AI usage in high courts, formulate ethical AI standards aligned with NITI Aayog’s AI strategy, and invest in AI training programs for judicial and law enforcement staff.

Conclusion

AI offers a critical path to revitalizing India’s overstretched justice system. If implemented responsibly, it can streamline policing, reduce judicial delays, and enhance public trust. A technology-first approach, combined with ethical safeguards, will be key to ensuring that justice in India becomes not only swift but also fair and inclusive.