How Jurisprudence Responds to the AI Era: Professor Su Yeong-chin on the Boundaries and Potential of Law and Technology
[NCCU News Report by Huang Yi-chen]
The fifth installment of the “General Education Lecture Series: Changing the World” took place on April 27, featuring Professor Su Yeong-chin—former Vice President of the Judicial Yuan and former Justice of the Constitutional Court—as the keynote speaker. Titled “Jurisprudence and Justice Entering the AI Era,“ the lecture explored the essence of legal science and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on legal systems and knowledge production.
The Historical Foundation of Law
Professor Su began by tracing the origins of jurisprudence, reviewing its history as a scholarly discipline since the Middle Ages. He noted that jurisprudence is not a science solely in pursuit of absolute truth, but rather a knowledge system designed to manage interpersonal relationships and social order. Built upon centuries of historical precedent and institutional accumulation, the core function of law remains the regulation of behavior, the resolution of conflict, and the maintenance of societal operations. Su emphasized that legal education holds a pivotal position in a state governed by the rule of law, serving as the essential foundation for the entire system’s functionality.
AI as a New Medium for Knowledge
Addressing the shifts brought about by AI, Professor Su drew a historical parallel to the invention of the printing press and its profound impact on legal development. He identified Generative AI as a modern evolution of the knowledge medium.
“Generative AI has arrived at precisely the right moment,” Su remarked. “While it is not yet at a stage where it can replace human thought, it is immensely helpful for practical application.”
Professor Su distinguished between practical jurisprudence and theoretical jurisprudence, predicting that AI would first permeate the former. Tasks reliant on existing knowledge and established rules—such as summarizing judgments, data aggregation, and drafting educational materials—already showcase AI’s significant potential. Conversely, judicial work involving final adjudications, constitutional values, and the protection of human rights remains beyond the reach of AI for the foreseeable future.
Strategic Implementation and Judicial Reform
During the Q&A session, the discussion centered on the collaboration between AI and legal professionals, as well as strategies to bridge the gap between the public and legal knowledge. Regarding the pace of AI integration, Su noted:
“AI implementation must begin at the grassroots level; any stage involving decision-making must be approached with extreme caution.”
In his closing remarks, Professor Su reminded the audience that technological advancement should not obscure inherent systemic issues. He stressed that current judicial reforms require steady, deliberate progress to gradually build and solidify public trust in the justice system.