KUCHING, July 15: Since the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to aid in meting out sentences in Sarawak courts, the AI system has made 203 recommendations for offences under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and two cases under Section 376 of the Penal Code.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim was here to witness the live demonstration of the usage of AI for data sentencing in the Magistrate’s Court here today.
The live demonstration was to give stakeholders an in-depth idea of how the system works.
Courts in Sarawak started to use AI for data sentencing in its Magistrate’s and Sessions Courts on April 21, 2020.
Currently, the AI system is being used to provide data and suggest punishments for two offences – Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 376 of the Penal Code.
The data analysis provided by the AI system helps determine the appropriate sentencing for the offence and serves as guidelines for judicial officers in their decision-making for more consistent sentencing.
During the proceedings, the judicial officer will key-in the date of the accused and the crime committed. The AI algorithm will then recommend the sentencing based on estimated probability.
However, before passing sentence, the judge can refer to the AI recommendation and other factors in passing his sentence.
The artificial intelligence for sentencing data is a pilot project of Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) and to be used in all the courts in Sarawak.—DayakDaily
