"Invisible Judgments: How AI can help judges see what we've never seen before" Article Reflection No. 192 (10/17/2026)
In the Thomson Reuters Institute article “Invisible Judgments: How AI can help judges see what we've never seen before,” US Magistrate Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell discusses the potential AI technology has in influencing the judicial system as it can potentially bring opportunities for decision-makers to think more introspectively. The article heavily emphasizes the significance of the “design” of the technology and how it should be applied to shed light on individuals’ thought processes. The article notes that bias identification can, in reality, potentially reinforce one’s prejudices or assumptive judgements. As the article progresses, it notes how specific AI usage—usage deemed “appropriate”—has the potential to bring positive, effective influence to the system.
This article explores this intersection between bias, decision-making (which is deeply connected with one’s personal experiences and values), and the legal system. Especially as the legal system has the potential of bringing extensive change to so many people’s lives—not only for a specific case, but (as a result of precedent) to so many additional individuals into the future as well, I think that this topic is extremely important. I wonder about the relationship between one’s personal experiences and values (which I think comes hand-in-hand, naturally and inevitably, with personal bias) and how well one performs in one’s career. Currently, I believe that one’s career is more likely to be more successful (e.g. in the level of fulfillment experienced from the job) and that one is likely to seek to do “good” in the world (which is a desire that is likely a reflection of individuals’ own worldview) if they have that personal story that has gotten them to that point. This would, I think, in turn become an additional drive for them to do well in that job and, if their goal happens to be serving the community, thus likely contributing to a more effective, positive impact on the community. But, as the article notes, forms of bias can be detrimental in the judicial system. I think this introduces this complex, multi-faceted discussion about the relationship between law, career, the judicial system, passion, and bias. Is there a “correct” balance of bias? I personally think at least having some bias is inevitable—but is it really?
Note: the article does not specify what position US Magistrate Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell has in the judicial system but instead uses the “Hon.” title; upon additional research (according to The United States District Court District of Colorado website) I found that she is a US Magistrate Judge. This is how I was able to add the position detail in the article reflection above.