The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has called for stronger human oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) in justice systems, warning that the adoption of digital technologies must not undermine accountability, fairness or the public’s right to challenge decisions.
Ministry Executive Director Audrin Mathe said justice institutions must ensure that responsibility for decisions remains with people, even as AI is increasingly used to improve administrative processes and service delivery.
Speaking at the 2026 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Wednesday, Mathe said the use of AI should be transparent and subject to appropriate safeguards.
“Responsibility cannot be delegated to an algorithm. People should know when AI is used. They should be able to challenge an outcome. Higher risk requires stronger oversight,” he said.
Mathe said AI could help justice institutions improve case management, online dispute resolution, workflow efficiency, data analysis and administrative automation.
However, he stressed that the introduction of technology should respond to specific public needs rather than be driven by the desire to adopt new systems.
He called for successful digital initiatives to be expanded beyond pilot projects through shared standards, secure infrastructure, staff training and continuous evaluation.
Mathe also warned that digitalisation could create new barriers for people who lack access to the internet, digital devices or the skills required to use online justice services.
“A digital doorway is useful only when a human doorway remains open,” he said.
He further cautioned that the increasing use of AI by individuals and businesses could lead to a rise in inaccurate, complex or excessive legal submissions, potentially adding to the workload of courts and other justice institutions.
Mathe said clear filing guidelines and proportionate verification measures would be necessary to prevent these challenges from undermining the efficiency gains expected from digitalisation.
He urged justice institutions to assess technology investments against measurable improvements in timeliness, cost, accuracy, fairness and user experience.
“We should measure timeliness, cost, accuracy, fairness and user experience. Success means better and more trusted outcomes,” he said.
Mathe cited Namibia’s State of Justice Summit, held from 16 to 18 September 2026, as part of efforts to examine how technology could improve justice delivery while protecting public access.
Although Namibia is not an OECD member, he said international cooperation remained important because the challenges associated with AI and digital justice extended across national borders.
“Our priorities are clear. Scale what works. Govern AI responsibly. Keep human judgement at the centre. Protect access. The choice is not between innovation and rights. Innovation must serve rights. Efficiency must serve humanity. In the age of AI, can people reach justice, understand it and trust it?” Mathe said.
