Judges are increasingly using AI to draft rulings and prepare for hearings

A study has found that more than 60 percent of surveyed judges are using AI tools to draft rulings and prepare for hearings, marking a significant shift in how the judiciary operates. The adoption reflects broader institutional pressure to manage heavy caseloads and streamline legal work, even as courts grapple with AI's documented problems—including fabricated case citations and legal reasoning errors. Legal experts and judges themselves are split on the technology's reliability, with concerns that AI-generated errors could undermine judicial authority and public trust in court decisions. The widespread use raises questions about judicial accountability, since judges remain legally responsible for rulings drafted partly or wholly by AI systems they may not fully understand. As courts continue integrating AI without clear regulatory frameworks or ethical guidelines, the tension between efficiency gains and accuracy risks will likely shape judicial policy in coming years.