Chief Justice Richard Niall has welcomed discussion on the use of artificial intelligence in the courts as part of the Australian Legal Convention in Canberra.
Chief Justice Niall chaired the opening speeches on the topic of AI on 21 November as part of the Convention.
Professor Edward Santow and Dr Kaye Ballantyne discusses the broad topic of AI in the law before a number of experts expanded on the topics of Harnessing AI by Courts, AI in Legal Practice, and AI in Legal Education, AI and Ethics.
Chief Justice Niall said the discussions were insightful and though provoking and considered both available and potential technologies.
"It's important that courts are a reflection of the communities they serve, and that means being open to new ideas and ways of working and continuing to improve and seek excellence in all areas," he said.
"I'm cautiously optimistic about the potential for AI in the courts but it is imperative that it be an aid and an assistant to independent thought not a replacement of."
Chief Justice Niall's role of Convention chair on the topic followed his Sir Ninian Stephen Law Program Oration on AI and the Judicial System in September.
The Convention, which is an initiative of the Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand, continues on 22 November with sessions on First Nations justice, Access to justice and Legal education and training.