By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
UNESCO has contributed to a
specialised training programme for judges at France's École nationale de la
magistrature (ENM), equipping judicial officers with knowledge and practical
tools to address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on justice
systems.
The programme brought
together 23 judges from Andorra, Brazil, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, France, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg and Spain to examine the
opportunities and challenges presented by AI in judicial processes.
During two dedicated
sessions, UNESCO provided insights into artificial intelligence strategies for
the judiciary, the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act and the proposed
Digital Omnibus framework on AI regulation. The discussions focused on how courts
can adopt AI technologies while protecting human rights, judicial independence
and the rule of law.
The initiative forms part of
UNESCO's broader efforts to strengthen judicial capacity through its AI and
Rule of Law Programme, which is supported by the European Union.
UNESCO said the programme
works with judicial academies and institutions worldwide to provide judges with
the knowledge, tools and international perspectives needed to govern artificial
intelligence responsibly.
The organisation emphasised
that as AI becomes increasingly integrated into justice systems, continuous
professional development and international cooperation will be essential to
ensuring that technological innovation enhances trust, fairness and equal access
to justice rather than undermining them.
