Justice Adel Maged, Vice President of the Criminal Chamber at Egypt’s Court of Cassation, made a remarkable contribution to the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2025), held in the Kingdom of Norway from 23 to 27 June.
His intervention marked a pivotal moment for the inclusion of judicial perspectives in the global dialogue on digital governance and artificial intelligence.
The IGF, established by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2006, serves as a multistakeholder platform for dialogue on internet policy, digital rights, and emerging technologies. Over the past two decades, it has evolved into the leading global forum for addressing critical issues at the intersection of technology, development, and human rights. The 2025 edition—attended by representatives from 165 countries, including over 3,300 in-person participants and 9,000 virtual attendees—was a milestone in promoting inclusive, rights-based governance of digital technologies.
Justice Maged took part in a high-level session titled “Can AI Replace the Human Element in Court?”, where he firmly emphasized that the use of artificial intelligence in justice systems must be ethically guided and legally constrained. He warned that AI must never supplant judicial conscience or compromise the core principles of justice—namely fairness, impartiality, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
In his remarks, Justice Maged presented a compelling perspective that bridged judicial tradition with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. He cautioned against over-reliance on algorithmic decision-making and stressed that AI should be deployed in ways that uphold human dignity, procedural safeguards, and the rule of law. His central message was clear: technological progress must serve justice, not undermine it.
Following his widely praised participation in the thematic session, Justice Maged was invited by the IGF Secretariat to deliver a statement at the Closing Ceremony of the Forum. His address not only reaffirmed the need to include judicial voices in digital policy-making but also served as a catalyst for the formal adoption of a Judiciary Track in future IGF agendas.
In his closing remarks, Justice Maged expressed his sincere gratitude to the colleagues at the IGF Secretariat who facilitated his participation in this distinguished international forum—particularly in the Judiciary Engagement session—and commended their foresight in ensuring that the justice dimension was meaningfully reflected in the Closing Ceremony. Their support was instrumental in elevating the role of the judiciary within the Forum’s broader mission.
Justice Maged called for expanding the judiciary’s role from a peripheral consideration to a core pillar of IGF deliberations. He emphasized that a judiciary that is informed, empowered, and actively engaged is essential to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the ethical use of technology in society. He also linked this vision to Egypt’s national initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in September 2024, “A New Beginning for Building the Egyptian Human,” underscoring the importance of public awareness and legal consciousness in the age of artificial intelligence.
Justice Maged’s speech resonated broadly across national and international audiences. The Egyptian diplomatic delegation in Norway, led by Ambassador Dr. Gamal Metwally, praised the international recognition that Egypt received through this high-level engagement.
The Closing Session featured a distinguished panel of global leaders, including:
• Ms. Maria Ressa, IGF Leadership Panel Vice Chair and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• Baroness Maggie Jones, UK Minister for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety.
• Mr. Dhruv Dhody, Member of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and Principal Engineer at Huawei.
• Ms. Jacqueline Jijide, Youth representative from Malawi and Digital Inclusion Practitioner.
• Mr. Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI).
• Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development.
• Mr. Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
• Ms. Natalie Becker Aakervik, digital governance expert, served as session moderator.
Each speaker reflected on the Forum’s achievements and emphasized the importance of international cooperation, equitable digital transformation, and the safeguarding of democratic values in online spaces. Justice Maged’s contribution stood out by championing the judiciary as a vital guardian of rights in the algorithmic age and by proposing the institutionalization of a permanent Judiciary Track in IGF deliberations.
The adoption of the Judiciary Track marks a turning point in the evolution of the IGF. It reinforces the centrality of the rule of law in digital governance and ensures that legal institutions will play an increasingly prominent role in future international processes, including the upcoming WSIS+20 Review. The WSIS+20 Review refers to the 20-year evaluation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), a global initiative launched by the United Nations to harness the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development.
The IGF 2025 itself was a landmark edition, convening more than 12,000 participants from 165 countries—onsite and online—to tackle urgent issues such as the ethical use of AI, digital inclusion, online safety, misinformation, and cross-border data governance. One of its most significant outcomes was the growing consensus on embedding human rights, the rule of law, and judicial engagement into global digital policymaking, culminating in the formal recognition of the Judiciary Track as a foundational element of future IGF editions. The Forum concluded with a strong call for international cooperation and digital solidarity to ensure that technological advancement promotes justice, equality, and sustainable development for all.
A significant part of Egypt’s accomplishments at IGF 2025 can be credited to the vision, dedication, and impactful international engagement of Justice Adel Maged. His distinguished career bridges both national and international spheres, combining judicial leadership, academic excellence, and principled advocacy. As a jurist, educator, and global voice for justice, his contribution to IGF 2025 marks a defining moment in integrating judicial perspectives into the rapidly evolving field of international digital policy.
Justice Adel Maged
Justice Adel Maged
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