The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has urged judges to adopt Artificial Intelligence with utmost care, wisdom, and vigilance.
Speaking on Friday at a one-day training on “Practical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary” held at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, the state capital, Dipeolu acknowledged the potential of AI to revolutionise justice delivery but warned of its limitations.
She noted that while AI is a powerful tool capable of enhancing access to justice and improving judicial efficiency, it lacks the human conscience, empathy, and nuanced understanding of justice that defines the judicial vocation.
“We are witnessing a technological revolution reshaping every facet of human endeavour. The judiciary, as the bedrock of societal order and the guardian of rights, cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.
“Our mandate – to deliver timely, efficient, fair, and accessible justice – demands that we harness innovative tools. Artificial Intelligence presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance our capacity to fulfil this sacred duty,” she said.
Dipeolu stressed that the training was organised to equip judicial officers in the state with a foundational and practical understanding of AI, enabling them to integrate it into their daily activities.
She highlighted the growing challenges in the justice sector, including increasing caseloads, higher public expectations for speed and transparency, and the complexity of legal research.
“In this landscape, AI is not a futuristic fantasy; it is a practical toolkit already emerging on our desktops and within our court processes.
“It offers the potential to expedite procedures, enhance legal research, improve case management, increase accessibility, and support judicial decision-making — as an aid, not a replacement,” she said.
She explained that the training would help participants demystify AI, understand its core concepts, capabilities, and limitations, and explore real-life examples of how it is already being used in judicial systems both locally and globally.
Dipeolu also emphasised the need to consider the legal, ethical, and procedural implications of AI in the justice system.
“While the potential is immense, we must proceed with vigilance, wisdom, and a firm grounding in our core principles. AI is a tool — powerful, but devoid of human conscience, empathy, or the nuanced understanding of justice that defines our vocation.
“Let us approach AI not with fear, but with informed curiosity and a steadfast commitment to our constitutional and judicial oaths. Let us learn to wield this new tool wisely, ensuring it serves the cause of justice and enhances — rather than diminishes — the human element that is the soul of adjudication”, she cautioned.
