• Today: October 9, 2026

Conference explores AI’s role in judicial system

The Fourth Nusantara Syariah Judicial and Legal Conference 2026, hosted by Brunei Darussalam, concluded yesterday with a closing ceremony officiated by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar, who is also Adviser to the Executive Committee of the Fourth Nusantara Syariah Judicial and Legal Conference 2026.

Throughout the conference, various issues and challenges were discussed, particularly the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting the judicial system, as well as the importance of ensuring that its application is carried out ethically and responsibly, and remains consistent with Syariah principles and the values of justice.

The discussions also emphasised that technological advancement should be viewed as an instrument to enhance the efficiency of justice delivery, rather than replace the judgement and responsibility of judges as entrusted custodians of justice.

As a culmination of the discussions, the conference adopted six Resolutions of the Fourth Nusantara Syariah Judicial and Legal Conference 2026, covering several key areas aimed at strengthening the Syariah judiciary in navigating the digital and AI era.

The resolutions include recognising AI as a supporting tool for the Syariah judiciary, while maintaining judges as the primary decision-makers responsible for determining facts, evaluating evidence, exercising ijtihad and delivering judicial decisions based on the law, Syariah principles and human judgement; and adopting Maqasid Syariah and Islamic values as the principal guiding framework in the development, assessment and application of AI, based on the principles of Al-‘Adl (Justice), Mas’uliyyah (Accountability) and Tabayyun (Fact Verification).

The resolutions also include establishing clear and risk-based legal, governance and ethical frameworks for the use of AI, including through amendments to or the enactment of laws and regulations, as well as the development of ethical codes and practice directions; ensuring the accuracy, validity and confidentiality of judicial information through appropriate verification and review, while safeguarding data and confidential information from misuse, manipulation and leakage.

The resolutions also include strengthening cooperation and knowledge-sharing among Syariah Courts, universities and relevant institutions, including the sharing of experiences and best practices; and establishing a strategic network among the Nusantara countries – Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore – through the sharing of knowledge, experiences, technology and AI research, as well as the development of a cross-Nusantara database of legal rulings and judicial decisions, while respecting the sovereignty, jurisdiction and legal authority of each member country.

The resolutions serve as a guide and shared commitment towards strengthening Syariah judicial cooperation in the Nusantara region, enhancing the preparedness of judicial institutions in responding to technological developments, and ensuring that the adoption of AI in the judiciary remains guided by the principles of justice, integrity, trust, transparency and Syariah ethics.

The presentation of the conference resolutions was delivered by Acting Chief Registrar of the Syariah Court of Appeal Pengiran Mohammaddin bin Pengiran Aliakbar. The Resolutions of the Fourth Nusantara Syariah Judicial and Legal Conference 2026 are expected to serve as a platform for strengthening a common direction for the Nusantara Syariah judiciary towards a more dynamic, integrity-driven and justice-centred future.

The conference, themed ‘The Nusantara Region’s Syariah Judiciary in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Challenges, Ethics and the Future Direction of the Syariah Judiciary’, served as a platform for judges, judicial officers, academics and Syariah legal practitioners from the Nusantara region to exchange views, experiences and best practices in addressing the development of AI technology within the judicial system. 

The conference in progress. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTOR

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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