Bangkok, 23 June 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) and Chulalongkorn University, convened the Regional Dialogue on Responsible AI in Justice: Opportunities, Risks and Governance Frameworks on 22 June 2026 in Bangkok. The hybrid event brought together representatives from apex courts, ministries of justice, regulators, academia, civil society, technology providers, and development partners from across Asia and the Pacific to examine the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in justice systems.

The dialogue marked the launch of two new UNDP regional publications: The Algorithm in the Courtroom: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Justice and the Rule of Law Across Asia and the Pacific, a regional analysis of AI's impact on justice systems, and Responsible AI in Justice: Regional Policy Guidance for UNDP Programming in Asia-Pacific, which translates that analysis into concrete tools for governments and development partners. 

Convened through UNDP's Global Programme on Rule of Law and Human Rights with support from the Government of Japan, the event reflects growing regional interest in harnessing emerging technologies to strengthen access to justice while safeguarding human rights, judicial independence, due process, and public trust in justice institutions. 

Deployment Ahead of Oversight  

Across the region, AI is no longer experimental. It is already powering legal research, case management, automated transcription, multilingual translation, online dispute resolution, and chatbot-based legal aid in many countries. A 2024 UNESCO survey found that 44 per cent of judicial professionals already use AI tools in their work, yet only 9 per cent have received structured training in AI ethics, bias, or oversight. That gap — technology adoption outpacing governance and oversight — set the tone for much of the day's discussions. 

Speakers cautioned, however, that adoption is uneven, raising the risk that AI-enabled justice could bypass the very people who most need it. 

Opening the dialogue, Beate Trankmann, Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Director of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, said “AI has great potential to help make justice systems faster, more accessible, and responsive to people's needs. UNDP is working with partners across the region to support its responsible use. But how we govern and use this rapidly evolving technology will determine if justice remains within everyone's reach.” 

Accountability Cannot Be Outsourced 

Closely linked to this discussion was the question of accountability and the role of human oversight in AI-assisted decision-making. Mr. Komtharnongchai Chaiphairojn, Secretary of the Supreme Court of Thailand, was direct on this point — a tool, however sophisticated, does not absorb the responsibility of the person using it. "AI users are unable to simply avoid accountability by claiming or relying entirely on the outcome of such AI technology," he said. "AI users are humans. They have a tremendous level of responsibility." 

It is a principle that several speakers returned throughout the day: efficiency gains from AI are only worth having if human judgment, and human accountability, remain firmly in the loop. 

Shared Responsibility with the Private Sector 

Participants highlighted that the future of AI transformation in justice systems will depend not only on public institutions, but also on constructive partnerships with the private sector — from global technology companies to a rapidly growing ecosystem of regional legal-tech innovators. 

As new technologies continue to evolve, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration that supports innovation while ensuring that AI tools respond effectively to the needs of justice systems and the people they serve. Participants also underscored the role of procurement standards, human rights due diligence, and strong data-protection safeguards in helping courts and public institutions adopt AI in ways that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with public trust.  

A Regional Governance Moment 

As justice institutions across Asia and the Pacific accelerate the adoption of AI, questions of governance, accountability, and human rights are becoming increasingly central to regional policy discussions. Delivering opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Otaka Masato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, emphasized that technological innovation in justice systems must be accompanied by strong safeguards and clear governance frameworks. 

“Before AI is a question of technology, it is a question of governance. The principles of human dignity, human rights, transparency, and judicial independence must never be compromised” he said.  

The dialogue reflected growing regional recognition that the future of AI in justice will depend not only on technological capability, but also on the institutional frameworks that guide its use. The new UNDP report points to a defining regional trend: in the absence of comprehensive national AI laws, apex courts and judicial councils across Asia and the Pacific are increasingly stepping in as regulators of their own domain — drafting ethical guidelines, procurement standards and oversight mechanisms for AI use in court processes, often ahead of legislatures. This judiciary-led approach is gaining a regional reference point, with the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices developing judiciary-specific standards that feed into the broader ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030). 

Professor Dr. Manoj Lohatepanont, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the role academic institutions play in shaping AI governance policy and fostering interdisciplinary, regional collaboration on emerging technologies. 

“Universities can offer three things: neutral ground, where courts, governments, companies and civil society can speak frankly; evidence, through research; and people — the next generation of judges, lawyers and engineers, who must learn to ask each other's questions.” Dr. Manoj shared.  

Lessons From Across the Region 

A roundtable moderated by Dr. Peerapat Chokesuwattanaskul of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Law drew on real-world experience from across Asia and the Pacific. The Supreme Court of the Philippines presented its newly adopted Governance Framework on Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence in the Judiciary — issued in February 2026 and built explicitly on Council of ASEAN Chief Justices standards — as a model other jurisdictions could adapt.  

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea shared its committee-based approach to AI oversight and judicial training, while a Waseda Law School professor outlined Japan's evolving regulatory debate on legal-tech AI. The ASEAN Secretariat placed these national experiences within the bloc's wider responsible-AI architecture, and the India-based research organisation, DAKSH, presented findings from research conducted in partnership with UNDP India on AI for justice

Looking Ahead 

The Regional Dialogue on Responsible AI in Justice reflects growing recognition that digital transformation and the rule of law must advance together. As governments, courts, and justice institutions increasingly explore the use of AI, the need for effective governance frameworks, institutional capacity, and regional cooperation has become more urgent than ever. 

By fostering dialogue on the opportunities and risks of AI in justice systems, the event contributes to broader efforts to strengthen access to justice, promote accountable institutions, and ensure that technological innovation serves people and protects fundamental rights. It also reinforces progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by supporting more accessible, inclusive, and trustworthy justice systems across the region.