Artificial intelligence (AI) is altering different sectors throughout the world by solving complicated problems and increasing efficiency. However, adoption of AI faces unique challenges in developing countries such as Pakistan. According to a State of AI Report, Pakistan ranks 117th out of 172 countries.

The National AI Policy by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) is designed in 2023 to focus on the equitable distribution of opportunity and its responsible usage, with defining characteristics. According to the ministry, the need for a National AI Policy is to raise broad awareness of the use of AI-based platforms while keeping privacy at the forefront and to upskill human capital in AI and allied technologies, to guide investment in AI research and development, to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI. Furthermore to provide a framework for addressing the challenges and risks associated with the country’s socioeconomic setup.

The comprehensive 41 page document lays out a strategic roadmap with the goal of transforming Pakistan into a technologically empowered nation. The policy focuses on several critical areas, including raising public knowledge of Al, training a competent workforce, establishing a national Al fund, and enhancing infrastructure for Al-related technology.

There is currently no statutory structure in Pakistan, or any other country, for the use of AI in courts. AI cannot be fully incorporated into courts unless it is extensively regulated by law, with limits and liability procedures in place.

The country’s AI adoption obstacles include limited infrastructure, a shortage of experienced personnel, legal and ethical concerns, data quality issues, and insufficient financial support. Although Pakistan government has initiated several programs, such as the National Center for Artificial Intelligence to promote AI adoption. However, more needs to be done to overcome the barriers to AI adoption in Pakistan.

One of the significant challenges that AI faces in Pakistan is the lack of skilled labor. AI, machine learning (ML), and data science experts are limited in Pakistan. This skill gap is mostly the result of an inadequate educational system that fails to educate students with suitable skills and training. Although several colleges provide AI-related courses, these courses are insufficient to generate a skilled workforce.

In Pakistan, data privacy and security are also major concerns. As digital technologies become more widely used, the amount of personal data being collected is also increasing. However, the country lacks strong data protection regulations, and there is a risk of data breaches and misuse. The country’s lack of data privacy legislation and security procedures is a big impediment to AI adoption.

Potential drawback of AI in the legal industry is the risk of bias. AI powered decision-making systems may be biased against specific groups or individuals depending on past data. For example, there is a risk that AI-powered systems may be more likely to falsely accuse a defendant from a certain ethnic group or socio-economic status.

Moreover, AI can help litigation in Pakistan in a variety of ways. GPT-4 open AI’s most advanced chatbot, was recently used by a judge in a Pakistani court to aid render a decision in a case. The plaintiff filed a civil complaint in the Sessions Court in, Punjab called over a petrol-pump property issue. Judge Amir Munir denied their injunction request. The court employed GPT-4 to base its conclusion on existing legislation, concluding that the chatbot’s recommendations were in accordance with Pakistani law, notably the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. This ruling triggered extensive discussion about AI’s potential and the likelihood of it replacing legal experts, such as judges. Machine learning algorithms can forecast the result of court cases and aid in legal research. Chatbots and virtual assistants can assist lawyers in providing legal information and direction to clients, decreasing their workload. However, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are unlikely to eliminate the necessity for human lawyers in litigation. To make legal arguments, analyze evidence, and negotiate settlements, legal competence and critical thinking abilities are still essential. However, adopting smart contracts in the current legal system poses legal hurdles. The enforceability of smart contracts is not yet evident under Pakistani law, and the legal ramifications of contract disputes arising from smart contracts have not been properly examined.

Collaboration among legal professionals, policymakers, and technology experts is also essential to ensuring that AI applications are designed to address the specific demands of Pakistan’s judicial sector. This will help to encourage responsible AI use and avoid potential harmful consequences. Interdisciplinary teams can collaborate to build, implement, and use AI-powered solutions in ways that benefit everyone. Furthermore, sustained investment in research and development is required to improve the capabilities of AI in the justice sector. Pakistan can successfully harness AI’s potential in the justice system, resulting in increased efficiency, and fairness of legal proceedings. Finally, AI applications in the justice sector should be continuously monitored and evaluated to determine their impact on efficiency, accuracy, and fairness. This will aid in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that AI applications achieve their intended goals.

Overall, AI has the potential to change the legal industry, offering huge cost savings, increased efficiency, and reduced chance of human error. However, there are certain disadvantages, such as job loss and questions about prejudice and accountability. As the use of AI in the legal profession grows, it will be critical to consider these challenges and guarantee that the technology is handled responsibly and ethically. To summarize, the adoption of AI in the legal profession is a two edged sword it has the potential to increase efficiency and cost savings while also raising concerns.