André Janssen, Chair Professor of Private Law and member of the Digital Legal Lab, has co-authored a compelling chapter with Tom J. Vennmanns titled “Decision-Making by AI in Consumer Law Adjudication”, featured in the Cambridge Handbook on AI and Consumer Law.

The chapter provides a nuanced perspective on the balance between innovation and the preservation of fundamental rights. Janssen and Vennmanns highlight that AI’s role should be to assist and augment human decision-making rather than replace it, particularly in the context of complex legal reasoning and individual rights protection. By doing so, their work offers a roadmap for integrating AI responsibly into consumer law adjudication, ensuring that technological advancements align with ethical and legal standards.

The chapter explores how AI-assisted systems in judicial decision-making can enhance efficiency and consistency, particularly in consumer law disputes that often involve high caseloads and demand timely resolutions. These systems, which support judges by pre-evaluating cases, have the potential to make adjudication more accessible. However, Janssen and Vennmanns highlight the legal and ethical constraints of fully autonomous “robojudges”, arguing that such systems remain impractical and incompatible with fundamental rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Moreover, the authors emphasize the importance of retaining human oversight to safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability in judicial processes. By addressing both the opportunities and risks of AI in this context, their work provides critical guidance for policymakers and legal professionals navigating the integration of AI into consumer law.