Psychological Limits to Algorithmic Sentencing
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Univerzita Karlova / Právnická fakulta
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-22556S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Psychological Limits to Algorithmic Sentencing
Annotation in Czech
This project investigates the psychological limits of algorithmic sentencing by exploring potential conflicts between relying on AI for sentencing decisions and fundamental intuitions about justice. While discussions surrounding AI in criminal justice have largely focused on the quality of AI decisions and systems, this research adopts a novel perspective by focusing on the psychological effects on participants in criminal proceedings. The project has two main focuses. Firstly, using a series of psychological studies, it will examine the "procedural fairness gap"—whether people perceive proceedings as less fair when AI is involved — and the ways to reduce it. A sense of procedural justice is crucial for maintaining trust in the legal system and law compliance. Secondly, the project will investigate if algorithmic sentencing diminishes the expressive/condemnatory aspect of punishment, including its morally educative effect and its impact on social standing. If AI sentencing is seen as failing to "send a message", this could contradict intuitive understandings of punishment's purpose.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
50501 - Law
OECD FORD - secondary branch
50502 - Criminology, penology
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
50101 - Psychology (including human - machine relations)
CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
AG - Legal sciences<br>AN - Psychology
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
Apr 27, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
4,993 thou. CZK
Public financial support
4,993 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK