Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary

the digital transformation as seen from the CNJ and the STF

Authors

  • Luís Roberto Barroso UERJ
  • Patrícia Perrone Campos Mello UERJ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/publicum.2025.96059

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence, Responsible AI, Human oversight, Fundamental rights, Transparency

Abstract

This article examines the digital transformation of the Brazilian Judiciary, with particular emphasis on the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into judicial activities. It explains key concepts and categories essential to understanding how this technology operates, including algorithms, machine learning, neural networks, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), and large language models (LLMs). It also maps the main benefits, risks, and regulatory responses associated with the use of AI. Within the judicial system, the article analyzes the introduction and impact of AI at the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and the Federal Supreme Court (STF). With regard to the CNJ, it describes the judiciary-wide digital transformation process, the challenges and risks related to the use of AI in courts, and the initiatives adopted to regulate it. As for the STF, it presents the principal AI tools implemented by the Court (Victor, Rafa, VictorIA, and MarIA) and discusses the Court's case law on AI, data protection, and social media platforms. Overall, the article provides a snapshot of the current state of AI in the Brazilian Judiciary and underscores the importance of reconciling technological innovation with the protection of fundamental rights and human responsibility, through continuous monitoring of AI use.

Author Biographies

Luís Roberto Barroso, UERJ

Presidente e Ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal (2013-2025). Professor Titular de Direito Constitucional da Universidade do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). Doutor e Livre-Docente pela UERJ. Mestre pela Yale Law School. Estudos pós-doutorais na Harvard Law School. Senior Fellow na Harvard Kennedy School (EUA).

Patrícia Perrone Campos Mello, UERJ

Professora de Direito Constitucional da Universidade do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) e do Centro Universitário de Brasília (CEUB). Doutora e Mestre em Direito Púbico pela UERJ. Estudos pós-doutorais em Harvard Kennedy School (EUA) e no Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (Alemanha). Procuradora do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Assessora e Secretária de Altos Estudos do Supremo Tribunal Federal (2014-2025).

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Published

2026-07-21

How to Cite

Barroso, L. R., & Campos Mello, P. P. (2026). Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary: the digital transformation as seen from the CNJ and the STF. Revista Publicum, 11(1), 35–73. https://doi.org/10.12957/publicum.2025.96059

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025): Dossier "Law and Technology"

Section

Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Patrícia Perrone Campos Mello, Luís Roberto Barroso

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