By Sallieu S, Kanu
Paris — Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sseay, has held constructive discussions at UNESCO Headquarters on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in strengthening justice systems and advancing the rule of law.
The meeting took place on the margins of his engagements in Paris, where UNESCO is spearheading global efforts to promote the ethical and responsible use of AI within judicial and legal institutions. Sierra Leone has pledged to be an active participant in this evolving agenda.
Attorney General Sseay highlighted that AI is increasingly reshaping the administration of justice through applications in legal research, case management, evidence analysis, and judicial administration. While these innovations present opportunities to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and quality of justice, he stressed the importance of safeguards to protect due process, judicial independence, transparency, accountability, and fundamental human rights.
Discussions focused on UNESCO’s AI, Justice and Rule of Law programme, which aims to equip judicial actors and legal institutions with the knowledge and capacity to integrate AI in ways that are ethical, rights-based, and consistent with international standards.
Sseay emphasized Sierra Leone’s ongoing justice sector reforms, noting that technological innovation must be matched by sound governance and principled leadership. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening collaboration with UNESCO to ensure AI is harnessed responsibly to strengthen justice delivery, reinforce public confidence in institutions, and advance the rule of law.