Quebec’s highest courts issued new guidelines in September 2026 stating that generative artificial intelligence cannot be used as a substitute for the reasoning of judges. The directive follows concerns that a provincial judge may have turned to AI tools while drafting a recent decision, prompting officials to examine the role of emerging technologies in the courtroom.
The guidelines make clear that, as of now, no secure or officially approved AI system exists for judicial use in Quebec. Judges are therefore required to rely on their own legal analysis and written reasoning when issuing rulings. The courts emphasized that human judgment remains essential to uphold the integrity of the legal process and to ensure that decisions are grounded in established jurisprudence rather than algorithmic output.
The move comes amid broader debates across Canada and other jurisdictions about how to integrate AI into legal workflows. While some jurisdictions have experimented with AI for research or drafting assistance, Quebec’s stance underscores a cautious approach, insisting that any future adoption must be governed by strict security standards and institutional oversight.
Legal scholars have noted that the lack of an approved AI platform reflects both technical and ethical challenges, including data privacy, bias mitigation, and the preservation of judicial independence. The courts’ statement does not rule out the possibility of AI tools being used for ancillary tasks, such as document review, but it draws a firm line against allowing AI to generate or replace the core reasoning that underpins a judgment.
By setting these parameters, Quebec’s judiciary aims to preserve public confidence in the fairness and transparency of its decisions while monitoring the rapid evolution of generative AI technologies. The guidelines serve as a reminder that, for the foreseeable future, the ultimate authority in interpreting the law rests with human judges, not machines.