AI in Judicial Decision Making

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Northern Ireland takes a leading role in shaping the future of AI in justice

Ulster University’s newly established Centre for Legal Technology (CLT) has secured £200,000 in funding to lead a pioneering research project exploring the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial decision-making.

Supported by the UK’s AI Security Institute, this 12-month initiative will investigate how AI can be responsibly integrated into judicial systems—ensuring fairness, transparency, and judicial independence remain at the heart of justice.

The project, led by John Keers BL, Director of the CLT and a specialist in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), will focus initially on the Courts of England and Wales. Researchers will work in close collaboration with judges, policymakers, legal professionals, and AI experts to develop ethical guidelines and policy recommendations.

“While AI is not currently used in judicial decision-making, it is vital to develop ethical and regulatory safeguards now to ensure any future adoption aligns with the values of justice,” said John Keers.

A Major Milestone for Northern Ireland’s Legal Tech Sector

This project is one of just 20 successful bids out of 451 applications to the Systemic AI Safety Grants Programme, first announced at the Seoul AI Summit. The initiative supports independent research aimed at protecting society and critical infrastructure as AI technologies are adopted more widely.

The selection of Ulster University’s proposal signals growing recognition of Northern Ireland as a hub for legal technology innovation, and highlights the region’s commitment to ethical AI development in public systems.