KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considering utilising artificial intelligence (AI) as it works towards digitalisation of the judicial system, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said AI had already been used for the judicial system in countries like China.
"In the process of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), they are really making use of AI. So, in our plans, we also want to look at how they use AI in international arbitration."
She told reporters this after her keynote address at the "Great Wall of Alliance: Forum on International Commercial Arbitration and Dispute Resolution", here, today.
Azalina added that the use of AI was inevitable, as digital justice was something the Legal Affairs Division wanted to implement starting next year.
"We really can't avoid it because the government is moving towards digitalisation. Therefore, this means all aspects of access to justice need to be examined from a digital perspective, how we can make it easier for the people. The more convenient, and quicker it is, the better.
"So, we want to see how they (China) are handling international arbitration as they have the expertise, and I also want to see how they apply their systems and what applications they use," she added.
Earlier in her speech, Azalina said Malaysia's partnership with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission transcended borders, cultures and economics.
She said as partners, they remained committed in upholding strategic independence, pursuing common development, safeguarding fairness and justice, all the while maintaining mutual trust and respect.
She added that a significant milestone that was achieved through the partnership was the Belt and Road Initiative, a blueprint aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and global trade by developing infrastructure and strengthening international networks along key land and sea routes, she added.
Azalina said there was a growing expectation for fairness, integrity and expediency, which were qualities that the ADR sought to achieve.
"As a result, jurisdictions around the world are refining their legal frameworks to meet these expectations, ensuring that they can offer reliable and efficient solutions.
"Malaysia stands at the forefront of this evolution. As a proud signatory to the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, Malaysia has committed itself to a globally recognised framework for the enforcement of arbitral awards.
"This important international treaty, which has been adopted by over 170 countries, ensures that arbitral awards issued in Malaysia are enforceable in jurisdictions worldwide, providing a foundation of certainty and confidence for international business," added Azalina.