The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) convened a webinar on “Transitional Justice and AI: Opportunities and Threats,” on 23 July 2026, bringing together experts to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping transitional justice processes while highlighting the ethical, legal and governance challenges that accompany its rapid development.

Opening the webinar, Simone Naidoo of the IJR said the discussion comes at a critical moment as AI continues to transform how information is gathered, analysed, archived and shared across the world.

“While these technologies may strengthen documentation and accountability, they also introduce significant ethical, legal, and political risks,” Naidoo said.

Felicity Harrison, Senior Practitioner at IJR, noted that AI presents exciting opportunities for strengthening documentation, supporting truth-seeking processes, preserving historical memory and improving accountability for human rights violations. However, she cautioned that these advances must be balanced against growing concerns over algorithmic bias, deep fakes, misinformation, privacy and the protection of sensitive survivor data, as well as transparency and accountability when AI systems influence decision-making.

Harrison also warned that unequal access to technology could further marginalise vulnerable communities and stressed that automated systems should never replace the human judgement and lived experiences that are central to transitional justice.

In his presentation, Prof Tim Murithi, Senior Advisor at IJR, underscored the indispensable role of human empathy in justice processes.

“AI will not and cannot replace human empathy and healing that accompany people to deal with the past, and in transitional justice,” he said.

Prof Murithi observed that while AI is advancing rapidly, global governance has failed to keep pace.

“Currently, a global system of governance and regulation on AI doesn’t exist, and therefore Article 109 for United Nations reform could chart a way to get there,” he said.

He warned that AI could be exploited for harmful purposes, including surveillance capitalism and other forms of misuse, while raising serious concerns around data sovereignty.

“AI can also exclude communities that don’t have access to electricity, let alone access to technology,” he said, cautioning that the digital divide could reinforce existing inequalities in post-conflict societies.

Despite these risks, Prof Murithi highlighted the significant opportunities AI offers for transitional justice. He said the technology has tremendous capacity to strengthen evidence

and data collection, facilitate the secure sharing of information across borders, and provide analytical support for complex investigations.

He further noted that AI can play an important role in preserving archives and forensic evidence, supporting reparative processes through the mapping of beneficiaries, assisting in the delivery of psychosocial support, and enhancing public participation and inclusion in transitional justice initiatives.

Also presenting during the webinar, Jenna-Lee Strugnell, Director at Tales of Turning, explored AI’s impact on communities and social cohesion. She warned that AI is increasingly being used to deepen social divisions through polarisation and the spread of disinformation.

“With deep fakes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage,” she said.

Strugnell emphasised that those working to build social cohesion must respond by amplifying positive narratives, calming conversations and creating opportunities for deeper, more meaningful dialogue to address misinformation and strengthen community resilience.

Felicity Harrison summarised the key messages that emerged from the discussions and said AI has enormous potential to strengthen truth-seeking, documentation, accountability and memorialisation efforts within transitional justice processes. However, she stressed that significant risks remain, including algorithmic bias, misinformation, privacy violations, surveillance and the manipulation of evidence.

Harrison emphasised that human judgement, ethical oversight and robust governance frameworks must remain central to the use of AI in justice contexts.

During the discussions, it was further stressed that victims and affected communities must remain at the centre of all technological decision-making, with transparency, accountability, participation and respect for human rights guiding the deployment of AI technologies.

The conclusion was that the challenge ahead is not whether AI will heavily influence transitional justice, but how stakeholders will ensure that it serves justice, dignity and lasting peace.