The PBA has always stood for the principle that the Rule of Law is the foundation upon which a free, just, and civilized society rests. Its history is a source of pride that carries with it the responsibility not only to preserve the legacy built by those who came before us, but to ensure that this principle remains meaningful, remains relevant.
My immediate predecessor has raised how artificial intelligence impacts society and more specifically, the practice of law. Quite simply, AI has transformed how knowledge is generated and secured, decisions are made, and legal services are delivered.
However, while AI will continue to transform the practice of law in ways we cannot yet fully anticipate, we should all be mindful that one thing should not change: that humans, not AI, keeping in mind the Rule of Law, remain responsible for the administration of justice.
Al can process information quickly and identify patterns efficiently. With these information and patterns, AI can generate arguments and predict outcomes. But the practice of law with the principle of the Rule of Law behind it, requires more than efficiency. Ensuring that Rule of Law is upheld requires judgment, accountability, fairness, transparency, and respect for human dignity.
The PBA continues to have a vital role to play – it is to help the public understand how AI must remain subject to and must operate within the law. To do this, the PBA may, among others, provide fora to facilitate logical discussions and secure answers to the following difficult questions such as: Who should be held accountable when an algorithm causes harm? How can we guaranty observance of rights and due process when decisions become automated? How can we preserve privacy and equality? How can we ensure that access to justice is expanded rather than restricted or limited? How can we make certain that AI, and the powers behind AI, remain subject to the Rule of Law?
The PBA has something Al does not possess: a living institutional memory of why legal principles matter. The PBA shall remain steadfast in its commitment to justice and shall continue working toward preserving the principle of the Rule of Law while encouraging and welcoming new voices.
The PBA history establishes its foundation. Its belief in the principle of the Rule of Law gives it purpose. Its openness to new voices and new ways of thinking confirms its continued relevance.