PETALING JAYA: Master artificial intelligence (AI) but don’t be mastered by it – that’s the advice given by Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (pic) to judges and lawyers.
AI has no place on the Bench, he explained, as it cannot replicate the conscience, compassion and moral judgment required to deliver justice.
He warned that while technology is transforming legal practice, it must never be allowed to supplant judicial discretion.
Over-reliance could only undermine critical thinking and the core skills of the profession, he shared in his special address at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) Conference 2026 at Universiti Malaya recently.
As the legal profession races towards an AI-driven future, he said justice must not be reduced to algorithms.
Wan Ahmad Farid admitted that while technology made things faster, it also risks making people less human.
“To be human is to learn, to err, to struggle, and to remember. When we outsource our thinking to a chip, we aren’t just saving time; we are losing a part of ourselves.
“Efficiency is for machines. Effort is for humble mortals like us.
“My view is that as we approach 2030, by all means use the technology. Even improvise on it. But, please accept this challenge. Don’t ever let your phone’s battery life determine your intelligence,’ he said.
Describing technology as a tool that must remain as an aid and not a substitute, he said judicial discretion, fairness, and independence must always remain at the centre of what judges do.
“So, yes, let us embrace technology. But let us do so wisely. In the judiciary, this is especially important. Technology must remain an aid – not a substitute,” he added.
He also called for a future-ready Malaysian Bar anchored in ethics and humanity, reminding that justice cannot be automated but must be carefully reasoned and collectively upheld.
“Now, if you ask me what a lawyer in 2030 will look like, I must admit, I do not have a neat answer.
“But I do know that the profession is changing. We are moving from simply knowing the law to applying it with skill, judgment and adaptability. From working within borders to thinking across them. And of course, we cannot ignore technology,” he said.
Artificial intelligence and digital systems, he said, were already part of the present and should not be treated with fear and that technology could only “assist us but it cannot replace us”.
“It cannot weigh compassion. It cannot exercise conscience. And it certainly cannot fully understand the human story behind every case that comes before us.
“That said, I do have a small concern. Particularly for younger lawyers, there is a temptation to rely a little too heavily on technology. And over time, that may come at a cost, namely the discipline of thinking carefully, articulating clearly and engaging meaningfully. These are not old-fashioned skills. They are the very foundation of advocacy, judgment and justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, Public Service Department director‑general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the government’s approach to AI adoption within the public service is guided by a responsible human‑centred framework.
“Rather than replacing jobs, AI is intended to transform the way public servants work by enhancing productivity and supporting more efficient service delivery,” he said.
He said technology should empower civil servants to perform more effectively while preserving the judgement and accountability fundamental to public administration.
“This shift enables the public sector to operate more strategically while maintaining the human judgement and accountability essential in governance.”
The use of AI, he said, would mean that routine and administrative processes can be automated, allowing public servants to focus on higher‑value responsibilities that require critical thinking, policy insights and meaningful engagement with the people.
