AI Arbitrators Have Now Arrived (At Least in Some Cases)! | Insights

AI Arbitrators Have Now Arrived (At Least in Some Cases)

This week, the AAA-ICDR introduced the first AI Arbitrator designed for a major arbitral institution to decide outcomes in specific case types. This Legal Update outlines how the AAA-ICDR plans to use its AI Arbitrator, including its limitations and safeguards.

The AI Arbitrator is particularly relevant to in-house arbitration counsel, those drafting arbitration clauses, construction clients, and users or potential users of AAA-ICDR arbitration.

Webinar Discussion on AI in Arbitration

On October 7, 2025, a webinar moderated by James R. Ferguson from Mayer Brown featured Professor Tony Casey (University of Chicago Law School), Svetlana Gitman (AAA-ICDR), and Steven M. Bauer (JAMS). They discussed how AI is transforming the arbitral process, especially with the rise of AI-assisted contracts.

Ms. Gitman described the key features of the AAA-ICDR’s new AI Arbitrator, which resolves disputes subject to human review within a specific case category.

Significance in the Arbitration Field

While institutions such as CIArb, SCC, VIAC, SVAMC, and CIETAC have issued guidelines on AI use in arbitration, the AAA-ICDR AI Arbitrator is the first AI tool deployed by a major arbitral institution to actually generate awards in disputes.

Gitman called this development “probably the most exciting thing that we’ve announced in the last 100 years.”

Key Points

The AI Arbitrator is used for certain types of cases under human supervision.
Focus on implementing safeguards to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Represents a major step in AI’s integration into arbitration processes.

Author's Summary: The AAA-ICDR's introduction of an AI Arbitrator marks a groundbreaking shift, enabling AI-assisted resolution of arbitration cases with human oversight and established safeguards.

Mayer Brown — 2025-11-06