DJI announces recommendations for 'Shaping the Future of Judicial Knowledge' workshop

Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI) announced the recommendations of the first edition of the 'Shaping the Future of Judicial Knowledge' workshop, under the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence Today and Beyond,’ which was held on 15 and 16 October. During this workshop, which aimed to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and its areas of utility in the legal sector as well as spread awareness of the importance of this field, the experts showcased the latest and most recent studies in the AI field and its legal aspects as well as presented leading international experiences in the same field that helped them establish a number of important recommendations.

HE Justice Dr Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director General of DJI, said: “We take pride in the participants' impressions and appreciation of the UAE's efforts and keenness in shaping the future by enhancing its global leadership, especially in implementing and adopting AI strategies. Participants praised general frameworks, such as the UAE AI strategy, which is the first of its kind in the region and the world, while attendees expressed their gratitude to the UAE leadership for its support and commitment to exclusivity and leadership by launching the first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and the global-first university for higher studies in AI that will benefit future generations in the UAE and the world.

Al Sumaiti added: “A number of advanced technologies were highlighted in this workshop, which was organised in cooperation with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Euro-Arab Judicial Training Network (EAJTN), including neural networks — computational techniques designed to simulate the way the human brain performs a particular task. This in addition to deep and augmented learning that are functions of machine learning, which in turn are part of a broader set of AI tools that enable computers to self-develop rules to solve problems. The experts suggested the establishment of the Association of AI Operators. Emphasising the UAE's global leadership in adopting AI strategies, the Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence was established to be the first university in the world, following the creation of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and positioning itself at the forefront of the world in this field, with the aim to achieve a positive impact on citizens and humanity as a whole. "

The participants expressed their gratitude to DJI for organising this workshop, praising the upscale effort, professional organisation, and creative work, which led to a series of interactions and discussions on AI in all its scientific themes and topics.As a result, the participants reached convictions that will contribute to the development of the future of judicial knowledge, which was the basis and motive for the presentations and discussions. The participants affirmed their strong support for these important seminars and workshops in to present and discuss all experiences, both negative and positive, as a precedent for AI to have a fully independent moral personality, especially in the judicial field, to achieve the desired justice and safeguard human, public, and private rights.

Of the most important takeaways from the workshop were the importance of AI and its uses in the judicial fields, the need to not be afraid or hesitant in using and applying modern technologies in the field of justice, and the necessity for the compatibility of artificial intelligence with the fundamental and constitutional rights of the human ‘Ethical Charter’ and laws. Another was that AI will not completely replace judges in the coming few years, but it could perform some of their work, in line with the nature of the technology as a catalyst. AI may save more than 70% of a judge's workload.

Participants urged legislators and judicial decision-makers to recognise more sophisticated experiences in the use of AI, witnessing transparency and confidence-building as key factors in the success of AI technologies in the judiciary field. They also recommended that a pillar, foundations, and rules for construction be developed, with the need for an ethical charter for makers and designers of AI, such as the famous Hippocrates Department of Physicians.

Participants also requested that creativity and innovation in determining the responsibility of AI be encouraged, solutions through global and international programmes and workshops similar to this workshop be adopted, and studies to enable legislators to develop a clear legal definition of AI be conducted. Emphasis was also placed on making use of the huge data currently available, such as neural networks, augmented and machine learning — the pinnacle of AI — and deep learning, the best-known training to date. The compulsory existence of AI insurance to protect those affected was also highlighted, with the importance of having legal legislation identify and implement the system when damage occurs, in addition to identifying the responsible entity or body for AI errors.

At the end of the workshop, participants commended DJI’s suggestion, which was announced by Al Sumaiti in his closing speech, to focus next year’s 2020 edition on blockchain, in line with the government's announcement and the launch of the Emirates Blockchain Strategy in April 2018.