Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud calls for law to anchor trust in an age of technological disruption

The landscape of global jurisprudence is undergoing a seismic shift, one where the traditional pillars of the courtroom are being re-evaluated against the backdrop of silicon and code. At the ETLegalWorld’s Global Legal Convention 2026, former Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, delivered a keynote address that serves as a clarion call for legal practitioners, policymakers, and tech innovators alike. His message was clear: in an era defined by disruptive technologies, the law must transition from being a reactive force to becoming a proactive anchor of trust. As a Senior Advocate, I find his insights particularly poignant, as they address the existential questions facing our profession today.

Justice Chandrachud’s tenure was marked by a commitment to modernizing the Indian judiciary. Now, in the year 2026, as we witness the full integration of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making into the societal fabric, his perspective on “accountable institutions” offers a roadmap for maintaining social balance. The core of his argument lies in the realization that while technology can accelerate processes, it cannot inherently provide the empathy or ethical oversight that defines justice.

The Crisis of Trust in the Algorithmic Age

We live in an age where algorithms dictate everything from credit scores to criminal sentencing predictions. This “algorithmic governance” poses a unique threat to the concept of public trust. Justice Chandrachud emphasized that trust is not a static commodity; it is a dynamic relationship between the citizen and the state. When decisions are made by opaque systems—often referred to as “black boxes”—the accountability that anchors the rule of law begins to drift.

The former CJI noted that the legal framework must evolve to ensure that technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around. Trust, in this context, requires transparency. It requires that every citizen has the right to understand how a decision affecting their life was reached. Without this transparency, the legal system risks becoming a bystander to technological determinism. For the legal fraternity, this means advocating for laws that mandate algorithmic auditability and explainability.

Building Accountable Institutions for 2026 and Beyond

A significant portion of the address was dedicated to the resilience of institutions. Justice Chandrachud argued that institutions—courts, regulatory bodies, and administrative agencies—must be redesigned to withstand the pressures of rapid economic change. The traditional slow-moving nature of the law is often cited as a hindrance to innovation, but the former CJI countered that “speed should not come at the cost of stability.”

The Digital Transformation of the Judiciary

Reflecting on the progress made since the early 2020s, the address highlighted how the Indian judiciary has moved beyond mere “e-filing.” The goal now is a “smart judiciary” where data-driven insights assist in docket management and case prioritization. However, Justice Chandrachud warned that the integration of tech must be handled by accountable institutions that prioritize data privacy and constitutional morality. The institution itself must be the guardian of the citizen’s digital rights.

Regulatory Agility and Economic Resilience

Economic disruptions, fueled by decentralized finance (DeFi) and globalized digital markets, require a new kind of legal resilience. The law must be agile enough to regulate these shifting markets without stifling the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the Indian economy. By building institutions that can adapt to these changes, the legal system provides a safety net that encourages investment and protects the consumer, thereby anchoring economic trust.

Social Balance and the Digital Divide

One of the most profound aspects of Justice Chandrachud’s speech was his focus on social balance. As we embrace high-tech solutions, we must ask: who is being left behind? The “digital divide” is not just about access to the internet; it is about access to justice in a digital world. If the law becomes overly reliant on technology that is only accessible to the elite, it fails in its constitutional mandate of providing equal protection to all.

Justice Chandrachud called for a “human-centric” approach to technological disruption. This means that legal institutions must ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are not marginalized by automated systems. Whether it is a small farmer in rural India or a gig-economy worker in an urban center, the law must remain a visible, accessible, and empathetic presence. The anchor of trust is only effective if it reaches the deepest parts of the social seabed.

Law as a Moral Compass in an Age of AI

The former CJI delved into the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence, a topic that has moved from the realm of science fiction to the center of legal debate. He posited that while AI can process information, it lacks “constitutional conscience.” The law must, therefore, provide the moral compass that AI lacks. This involves setting clear boundaries on what AI can and cannot do in the legal and administrative spheres.

The Ethics of Automated Decision-Making

When a machine makes a mistake, who is held liable? The developer, the user, or the machine itself? Justice Chandrachud argued that our legal systems must urgently address these questions of liability and ethics. Accountability cannot be outsourced to a computer program. By establishing clear legal precedents and statutes on AI liability, we can build a framework where innovation is paired with responsibility.

Preserving the Human Element in Jurisprudence

Despite the advancements in technology, the “human touch” remains the soul of the law. Justice Chandrachud reminded the audience at the Global Legal Convention that the law is about human stories, human suffering, and human aspirations. The challenge for the future is to use technology to enhance these human elements, not to replace them. A judge’s wisdom, a lawyer’s advocacy, and a citizen’s testimony are the irreducible components of a just society.

A Call to Action for the Legal Fraternity

As a Senior Advocate, I believe the former CJI’s words serve as a direct challenge to our profession. We cannot afford to be luddites, nor can we afford to be uncritical technophiles. We must become “techno-legal” experts who understand the nuances of code as well as we understand the nuances of the Constitution. Our role is to facilitate the transition to this new era while ensuring that the foundational principles of justice—equity, fairness, and due process—remain uncompromised.

Justice Chandrachud’s vision for 2026 involves a legal profession that is proactive in shaping technology policy. We must be at the forefront of drafting regulations for data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and AI ethics. We must ensure that as our economy becomes more digital, our laws become more robust, providing the certainty and security that allow a society to flourish.

The Global Implications of India’s Legal Tech Evolution

The ETLegalWorld convention highlighted India’s unique position in the global legal landscape. With our vast population and burgeoning tech sector, India is a testing ground for digital jurisprudence. Justice Chandrachud’s call for law to anchor trust resonates far beyond our borders. As nations grapple with similar disruptions, the Indian model of “technology for the common good” can serve as a blueprint for the global community.

By building institutions that are both technologically advanced and deeply rooted in democratic values, India can lead the way in creating a legal order that is resilient to the shocks of the 21st century. The trust that we build today in our institutions will be the legacy we leave for the generations of 2030 and beyond.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of the Rule of Law

In conclusion, the address by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud at the Global Legal Convention 2026 is a reminder that while technology changes, the essence of justice does not. The law must remain the “anchor” in the storm of disruption. It must provide the stability that allows society to move forward without losing its moral or social equilibrium. Trust is the glue that holds our civilization together, and in an age of uncertainty, that trust must be anchored in accountable, resilient, and transparent legal institutions.

As we navigate this complex future, let us hold fast to the principle that technology is a tool, but the law is a commitment. It is a commitment to fairness, to the protection of the individual, and to the progress of the collective. By embracing this vision, we can ensure that the age of technological disruption becomes an age of unprecedented legal and social empowerment. The future of law is not just about better technology; it is about better justice.