Peru's Justice Ministry Explores AI Tool to Aid Indigenous Language Legal Defense
Peru's Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MINJUSDH) is evaluating a technological tool that could enhance public defense services for speakers of indigenous languages. Vice Minister of Justice Shadia Valdez Tejada met with Joseph Torres Cama, founder of doxs.ai, an initiative that uses artificial intelligence to provide legal guidance in native tongues. The discussion focused on how this AI-powered platform could supplement existing public defense, particularly in areas where state legal assistance is insufficient. The tool aims to offer virtual initial legal orientation to individuals who speak indigenous languages, especially when in-person access to a public defender or interpreter is unavailable. The possibility of a future cooperation agreement was raised, with an emphasis that any technological support should complement, not replace, the work of public defenders. The initiative could potentially integrate with Peru's official legal information platform, the Sistema Peruano de Información Jurídica (SPIJ), to ensure its responses are based on current and official regulations. Vice Minister Valdez stated that the ministry is interested in any effort that helps individuals understand their rights in their own language and brings the state closer to those who are currently underserved, provided it supports public defense work. The right to use one's native language before authorities is constitutionally recognized in Peru and further detailed by Law 29735. The MINJUSDH actively promotes access to justice in indigenous languages through its public defense and free legal orientation services. Also present at the meeting were Abel Hurtado Espinoza, Director General of Public Defense and Access to Justice; Lesli Roxana Gonzales Cabanillas, Director of Legal Development and Regulatory Quality; and Diana Gisella Milla Vásquez, Director of Criminological Policy.
Peru's Ministry of Justice is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence to bridge the gap in legal access for indigenous language speakers. This initiative addresses a critical aspect of equitable justice by leveraging technology to overcome linguistic barriers, aligning with constitutional rights and existing legislation. The approach emphasizes AI as a supplementary tool, aiming to augment rather than supplant human legal professionals, which mitigates risks associated with over-reliance on automated systems in sensitive legal matters. The potential use of the national legal information platform suggests a strategy for ensuring accuracy and adherence to official legal frameworks. Looking ahead, the success of such initiatives will depend on robust data privacy, ongoing linguistic accuracy validation, and ensuring equitable digital access across diverse regions, ultimately fostering greater trust and inclusivity within the legal system.
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