Chief Justice John Roberts delved into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) within the federal courts. Surprisingly, the report made no mention of Supreme Court ethics or legal controversies involving Donald Trump, focusing solely on the promise and pitfalls of AI in the legal profession.

Describing AI as the “latest technological frontier,” Roberts candidly discussed the advantages and challenges posed by computer-generated content in the courtroom. Notably, the chief justice expressed concern over the recent incident involving AI-generated fake legal citations infiltrating official court records, emphasizing that “any use of AI requires caution and humility.”

Roberts, however, acknowledged the potential of AI to democratize access to the courts, particularly for individuals with limited financial resources. He highlighted how these tools could bridge the gap between available resources and the urgent needs of the court system.

The year-end report comes on the heels of a year filled with ethical questions surrounding the justices. Although many stories focused on Justice Clarence Thomas and his undisclosed ties with conservative donors, Roberts steered the report away from these controversies, maintaining a focus on the transformative impact of AI.

As the country enters an election year, the Supreme Court faces the likelihood of becoming entangled in ongoing criminal cases against Donald Trump. Despite this, Roberts refrained from discussing specific cases before the court. Instead, he drew parallels between AI and the precision of technology used in tennis tournaments, emphasizing that, unlike in sports where decisions involve clear-cut measurements, legal determinations often entail gray areas requiring human judgment.

“I predict that human judges will be around for a while. But with equal confidence, I predict that judicial work—particularly at the trial level—will be significantly affected by AI,” Roberts wrote, expressing a cautious outlook on the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the legal realm.

The chief justice’s report serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the delicate balance between embracing the potential benefits of AI in the courts while recognizing the need for careful consideration and oversight. As technology continues to advance, the legal system faces a paradigm shift, and Chief Justice Roberts urges the legal community to approach this evolution with both optimism and prudence.