AI helped Shenzhen judges handle cases 50% faster. Is this the future for China?

Shenzhen's Intermediate People's Court announced that its AI-powered judicial assistance system, first deployed in 2024, enabled judges to handle 50% more cases in 2025 compared to the previous year. Each judge processed an average of 744 cases, 249 more than in 2024, making them the most efficient in Guangdong province. The system, built using domain-specific large language models, now covers 85 judicial procedures across civil, administrative, and criminal litigation, including case filing, review, hearings, and document preparation.

This AI tool is part of China's broader push to integrate technology into governance and legal systems. The success in Shenzhen has prompted plans to expand the system to courts in dozens of other cities. While proponents argue it alleviates court backlogs and improves consistency, critics raise concerns about transparency, due process, and the potential for AI to reinforce biases or enable mass surveillance. The rollout signals a significant step toward AI-driven judicial efficiency in China, with implications for global legal tech adoption.