Rwanda tests AI system to modernise judicial processes and improve access to justice
Developed by local technology company IST Legal, the platform is designed to assist lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and legal researchers with services like case tracking and document automation and legal research.
The government of Rwanda is testing out a new artificial intelligence (AI) system aimed at streamlining judicial processes in the country.
Developed by local technology company IST Legal, the platform is designed to assist lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and legal researchers with services like case tracking and document automation and legal research.
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The system, grounded on Rwanda's existing laws and available in Kinyarwanda, English and French, is also designed to manage the entire criminal case process, starting from investigations and continuing through to correctional service management, reducing procedural delays in the process.
According to Mariam Muganga, CEO of IST Legal, the company is currently working to integrate the platform with national infrastructure while ensuring it aligns with the country's ongoing legislative drafting reforms.
"IST Legal will continue to refine the platform. As it evolves, we want to foster a smarter, more accessible, and tech-enabled justice system that serves all Rwandans," she said, according to The New Times.
"We built this platform to help practitioners work more efficiently," she explained.
"Users input the details of a legal issue, and the system suggests potential legal remedies or actions based on existing law," said Ghislain Bisamaza, IST Legal AI software engineer.
Boost service delivery
Rwanda's Minister for ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, has since welcomed the development, noting that once rolled out, the system will boost service delivery and productivity. He also added that the Rwandan government is exploring ways to incorporate AI systems across all sectors.
"It's very exciting to see the work that the IST Legal team is doing here and the products that they are building. It's interesting to see how they are leveraging AI as a technology to drive better productivity when it comes to different judicial processes," she said.
"We are looking forward to supporting them and seeing this company and the product that they have expand beyond Rwanda."
The AI system's testing comes as Rwanda continues to deliberate on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of such technology in the justice sector.
Addressing journalists in a past briefing, Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa noted that adoption of the AI system is part of efforts by the Rwandan government to enhance fairness, protect rights and improve access to justice.
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