Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged national law universities to lead the determination of how technology reshapes the legal system [1].

The call signals a shift in the Indian judiciary's approach to modernization. By encouraging academic institutions to pioneer technological integration, the court aims to ensure that legal professionals are not merely reacting to digital disruption but are actively governing it.

Addressing National Law Universities (NLUs), the Chief Justice said that the legal profession can no longer remain a late adopter of technology [1]. He said that proactive and responsible integration is necessary to ensure that human judgment, and the pursuit of justice, remain central to the process [2].

During the address, the Chief Justice said he rejected the idea of prohibiting generative AI tools within legal education [1]. He said that banning such tools is counterproductive when the goal is to prepare students for a changing professional landscape [3].

Instead of avoidance, the Chief Justice said that universities should determine the most effective ways to employ these tools while maintaining ethical standards [2]. This approach focuses on shaping the tools to serve the law rather than allowing the tools to dictate the practice of law [1].

The push for leadership in technology comes as legal systems worldwide grapple with the efficiency gains and ethical risks of AI. The Chief Justice said that the role of NLUs is to bridge the gap between traditional jurisprudence and modern technological capabilities [3].

“Do not just adapt but lead in determining use of technology to reshape legal system”

This directive represents a strategic move to institutionalize AI literacy within India's elite legal training pipeline. By rejecting bans on generative AI, the Chief Justice is acknowledging that technological proficiency is now a core competency for the judiciary. This shift likely precedes a broader effort to integrate AI into court administration and case management, provided that human oversight remains the primary safeguard.