AI cannot replace judicial conscience, says Telangana HC judge

Justice Surepalli Nanda, a judge at the Telangana High Court, cautioned that artificial intelligence, while capable of augmenting judicial intelligence, cannot replace the unique judicial conscience or mindset. Speaking at the 15th Annual Legal Era India Conclave 2026 in Hyderabad, the judge emphasized that the technology should assist courts in fulfilling their constitutional duties more efficiently.

The conclave, organized by Legal Era under the leadership of Aakriti Raizada, brought together stakeholders from the judiciary, bar, corporate legal fraternity, and the technology sector for discussions on the evolving intersection of law with various aspects of modern life. Justice Nanda pointed out the rise of techno-legal professionals, highlighting that future lawyers will need to understand AI governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and technology regulation.

She underlined the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach in legal education to equip lawyers for a rapidly changing technological landscape. The one-day event featured sessions with members of the judiciary, bar, corporate legal fraternity, and industry leaders. Notable attendees included Senior Advocate Krishna Grandhi, Medicover Hospitals' Chief Legal Officer Isha Sinha, Nitin Sharma from Qualcomm, and Special Government Pleader Divya Adepu.

Awards were presented to recognize outstanding in-house legal professionals and teams during the event.