During the Conference, a scientific dialogue was developed on the practical and legal issues related to the use of Artificial Intelligence in Justice, exploring its advantages and risks.
The Conference was adressed by the Professor of the Department of Digital Systems Stefanos Gritzalis on behalf of the Rector of the University of Piraeus Professor Michael Sfakianakis, the President of the Piraeus Bar Association Mr. Ilias Klapas and the President of Appeals and President of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors Ms. Margarita Stenioti.
The Rector of the University of Piraeus Professor Michael Sfakianakis observed that the degree of involvement of Artificial Intelligence in the process of judicial judgment depends on parameters such as the technical evolution of the systems themselves and on exogenous pressures for more efficiency and on the ability and willingness of judicial systems to adapt.On the other hand, there is an equally important dimension, that of ethics. If we think about ethics from an Aristotelian standpoint, I think we can resist over-delegating decision-making to algorithms embedded in Artificial Intelligence systems.”
The President of the Piraeus Bar Association, Mr. Ilias Klapas, pointed out that the Piraeus Bar Association, responding to the challenges of scientific reality, was one of the first scientific bodies to raise the issue of the use of Artificial Intelligence in Justice. As stated by the 22-6-23 Resolution of the PBA Board, the search for solutions to the dysfunctions of Justice with the help of technology should in no way jeopardize the conquests of generations in matters related to the administration of justice based on the principles of democracy, transparency, fair trial, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, presumption of innocence and non-discrimination"
The President of Appeals and President of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors Ms. Margarita Stenioti, who presided over one of the sessions, stated that Artificial Intelligence is a leading technological trend in many areas of society and technology. There is a need to create methods and build tools to benefit from artificial intelligence, but without threatening the foundations of our democratic society. The development of Artificial Intelligence in Justice seems tempting, but we should be concerned with the legal and ethical issues that arise. Justice is and must remain human-centered."
The Conference was attended by Mr. Kostas Menudakos Honorary President of the Council of Ministers and President of the Personal Data Protection Authority, Mr. Panagiotis Perrakis President of the Council of European Bar Associations (CCBE), Mr. Efstathios Vergonis Deputy Secretary General of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors, Stefanos Gritzalis Professor at the University of Piraeus and member of the Communications Privacy Authority, Ms. Lilian-Eva Mitrou Professor at the University of the Aegean, Mr. Ioannis Alexakis Director of the Ministry of Digital Governance, Ms. Elissavet Spyropoulou Trial Judge and member of the Three-Member Board of Directors of the Court of First Instance of Piraeus, Mr. Dimitris Melidis Lawyer and Head of the Digital Justice Commission of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ilias Pollalis Lawyer and Advisor of the Board and Ms. Theodora Michou Attorney of Athens
The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Panos Alexandris, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Yiannis Sarakiotis, Member of Parliament, Head of Justice Department SYRIZA, Mr. Dimitrios Vervesos, President of the Plenary Session of the Presidents of the Bar Associations, President of the ABA, Mr. Dimitrios Karydis Deputy Mayor of Piraeus.
The event was attended by many Heads of Judicial Formations of Athens and Piraeus, Presidents of Bar Associations from all over the country, a number of judges, lawyers and citizens interested in its very important issue.