The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) held a symposium, on March 4, 2026, entitled “Artificial Intelligence and the Reshaping of the Functions of Justice.” During the event, the Organization announced the launch of the ALECSO Chair for Dispute Resolution and Digitalization, with the participation of prominent experts, academics, and representatives of scientific and legal institutions.
The Chair aims to support research and forward-looking studies on the implications of digital transformation and emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—for justice systems and dispute resolution mechanisms. It also seeks to foster scientific reflection on the development of digital justice and promote the use of modern technologies to enhance the efficiency of judicial systems.
The establishment of this Chair represents a significant step toward strengthening cooperation between academic institutions and Arab research centers in the fields of digitalization and digital justice. Through this initiative, ALECSO seeks to promote the exchange of legal and technological expertise and foster innovation in dispute resolution mechanisms in the context of rapidly evolving digital transformations.
The ALECSO Chair for Dispute Resolution and Digitalization has been awarded to Dr. Hatem Rouatbi, Head of the Dispute Resolution Laboratory at the Faculty of Law and Political Science in Tunis. This appointment reflects ALECSO’s commitment to reinforcing the role of academic institutions in advancing specialized research in emerging legal and technological fields.
The launch of the Chair forms part of ALECSO’s broader efforts to keep pace with global digital developments and to harness technological innovation in the service of justice, while strengthening Arab scientific research in advanced legal and technological domains.
In an opening address delivered on his behalf by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT at ALECSO, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, emphasized that artificial intelligence, with its advanced analytical and predictive capabilities, has become an influential factor across many sectors, including justice and dispute resolution. He underlined the importance of harnessing these technologies within well-regulated legal and institutional frameworks. He also noted that the establishment of the Chair aims to support Arab academic research and promote strategic reflection on the effective and responsible use of modern technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—to enhance the efficiency of judicial systems, and facilitate access to justice, while preserving fair trial guarantees and judicial independence.
The Symposium programme featured a series of scientific sessions addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on the functions of justice. It included a presentation entitled “From Generative Artificial Intelligence to AI Agents: New Opportunities for Digital Justice,” delivered by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT at ALECSO. This was followed by a presentation entitled “Artificial Intelligence and the Professions Involved in the Administration of Justice,” delivered by Dr. Hatem Rouatbi, Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science in Tunis and Chairholder of the ALECSO Chair for Dispute Resolution and Digitalization.
Dr. Amal Essid, Associate Professor of Private Law and Criminology, presented a paper entitled “Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Achieving Civil and Criminal Justice.” Judge Amani Amdouni of the Court of First Instance of Tunis also delivered a presentation entitled “Artificial Intelligence Between Judicial Efficiency and Fair Trial Guarantees.”
The presentations were followed by extensive discussions addressing key issues related to algorithmic justice, with focus on the evolving role of judges and the limits of technology in judicial decision-making. Participants also explored broader legal and intellectual questions arising from digital transformations in the justice sector.
