The Judicial Function and Artificial Intelligence: Can Machines Adjudicate?

Author: Dr. Saima Butt, Hafiz Muhammad Azeem, Rabia Zafar

Abstract

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into the judicial system creates a constitutional question, which this paper attempts to answer, can the judicial functions be legally executed by AI systems? This paper tries to address this research gap in the legal research by assessing whether existing AI systems can pass the constitutional test of a judicial work. To this end, there is a single Judicial Function Test, developed through literature review, a 23-item tool, based on doctrinal legal sources and constitutional jurisprudence, which operationalizes the essence of judicial power: the legal empowerment, impartiality, reasoned judgment, procedural compliance, and accountability. Using the mixed-methods design, standardized prompts were given to six top AI platforms: ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Claude, and Copilot in relation to each criterion. Their self-assessed answers were noted down. Following research, some important conclusions have been obtained: selfassessment of constitutionality in all 144 coded answers in No. No AI system stated that it was judicially qualified. Four platforms (Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Claude) attained a score of 24/24 on doctrinal accuracy, whereas ChatGPT and Copilot demonstrated a hedged performance on technical skills. Most importantly, the Overconfidence Index on all platforms was zero on disqualification criteria. The paper shows that inability of AI to perform judicial role is structural in nature that is based on inability to possess legal personhood and constitutional accountability as opposed to technical. The following results identified a valid justifying role of AI: an instrument of justice systems, but not an organ of it. The paper presents an important participation through showing empirical assessment of AIs in constitutional self-knowledge criteria and supports the principles of judicial functions foundations.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence, Judicial Function, Constitutional Role of a Judge, Legal Personhood, Judicial Accountability, Algorithmic Adjudication, Legal Reasoning

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DOI: 10.52279/jlss.08.01.106131 | 106-131 | PDF