Digitization and AI Integration in the Kerala High Court: An Empirical Analysis of Stakeholder Perception and Implementation Challenges

The global judicial landscape is witnessing a paradigm shift driven by the adoption of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to justice. In India, the Kerala High Court has emerged as a frontrunner in this process of judicial digitization. This paper examines the evolution of digitization and AI integration in the Kerala High Court, with specific emphasis on stakeholder perceptions and the institutional challenges encountered during implementation. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, the study analyses how key stakeholders, namely judges, legal practitioners, court administrative staff, and litigants, perceive the transition from traditional paper-based procedures to AI-assisted judicial tools, including automated case management systems, AI-enabled legal research platforms, and virtual hearing mechanisms. While initiatives under the broader framework of “Digital Courts” aim to address chronic case pendency and procedural delays, the process of technological adoption remains embedded within complex socio-technical realities. Preliminary findings reveal a pattern of cautious optimism among judicial officers and practitioners, who largely view digitization as an enabler of procedural efficiency and administrative streamlining. However, concerns emerge regarding the interpretative limitations of AI, ethical implications, data governance, and accountability in AI-supported decision-making, particularly among members of the Bar. Institutional challenges are further compounded by infrastructural constraints, uneven digital training, and resistance rooted in deep-rooted procedural norms. The study identifies three central challenges shaping AI integration within the court system: (i) the digital divide, reflected in disparities in technological literacy and access; (ii) algorithmic transparency, particularly apprehensions surrounding the “black box” nature of AI-based decision-support tools; and (iii) institutional inertia within a historically paper-centric legal culture. By taking the Kerala High Court as an empirical case study, this paper contributes to debates in judicial politics by examining how constitutional courts facilitate technological innovation while safeguarding rule-of-law values, procedural fairness, and public trust. The findings offer policy-relevant insights for emerging economies seeking to modernize their judicial systems through responsible and inclusive AI integration.