CBS Prediction Project Integrated into Judiciary Amid Concerns Over Due Process, Bias, and Privacy
AI
The Turkish Ministry of Justice has launched a controversial AI-powered tool designed to identify individuals linked to terrorist organizations with minimal human intervention. Known as the CBS Organizational Prediction Project, the tool has been integrated into the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) and is set to assist prosecutors and judges in the classification of terrorism-related cases.
Authorities claim the tool will enhance efficiency and reduce caseloads, but legal scholars and civil society groups are raising alarms about serious human rights implications.
Legal Experts: AI Tool Threatens Presumption of Innocence
Critics argue that the AI model risks violating fundamental legal principles, particularly the presumption of innocence. By pre-classifying individuals as linked to terrorism, experts warn that the tool could bias judges’ perspectives before trials even begin, compromising fair trial guarantees under both Turkish law and international conventions.
“This kind of automation creates systemic bias,” warned one legal expert. “It undermines judicial independence and due process.”
The irreparable reputational damage to those incorrectly flagged by the system is also of concern, especially given the lack of recourse or legal precedent for contesting algorithmic classifications in court.
Marginalized Groups at Higher Risk, Critics Warn
Civil rights advocates are particularly concerned that the tool could entrench discriminatory patterns, especially against minority groups and political dissidents. Critics say the AI system may mirror and magnify existing biases in the data it’s trained on—potentially reinforcing profiling practices that already disproportionately target vulnerable communities.
Data Privacy and Accountability Issues Unresolved
Beyond legal and ethical risks, data protection experts warn the system may breach local and international privacy regulations. They argue that training such an algorithm will require access to private, sensitive, or even unverified data, without clear safeguards or transparency about its usage.
The lack of legal accountability in the event of AI errors is another unresolved issue. With only 11 technical staff in the Ministry’s AI and Big Data department, doubts persist about the tool’s oversight, accuracy, and viability.
Justice Ministry Defends Tool as Decision Support, Not Verdict
Despite mounting criticism, Turkish officials continue to defend the AI initiative, portraying it as a decision-support mechanism rather than a tool for rendering final judgments. They emphasize its time- and cost-saving potential in a strained judicial system.
Broader Push for Digital Governance and AI Integration
The CBS Project is part of Türkiye’s larger digital transformation strategy, which includes the development of a national digital ID, an AI-enhanced regulatory framework, and the launch of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
As Türkiye seeks to position itself as a regional leader in emerging technologies, the debate surrounding AI in the legal system raises critical questions about civil liberties, accountability, and transparency.