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Welcome to the Resolution Roundtable Blog!

The blog was created by Jeffrey Zaino in 2016 and originally hosted by the New York State Bar Association, where it quickly grew a robust following and earned a reputation for being a vital space for thought-provoking discussions on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and connecting our domestic and international community. After a two-year hiatus, ACR-GNY is proud to be the blog's new home as it relaunches in 2025.

New blog posts will go up every Sunday morning. Posts are meant to be interactive - please share your thoughts on the weekly topic as a public comment by clicking "Add Comment" on the relevant post! Follow us on LinkedIn to see the topic of the week, and make sure you subscribe to our email newsletter to get the blog topics at the start of each month!

While dissent and diverse viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged, this is meant to be a collegiate, professional, and respectful forum. All comments must align with ACR-GNY's participation policies, found here. Comments will be moderated and posts that do not adhere to these policies will be removed.

Views expressed in connection with any Resolution Roundtable Blog post or public comment are those of the individual contributors to the blog and not of ACR-GNY.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

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  • Tuesday, October 07, 2025 4:05 PM | Anonymous

    Faq Images – Browse 319,411 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock

    FAQ: Understanding the AAA AI Arbitrator

    By Jeffrey Zaino

    When I first posted that the AAA-ICDR would launch an AI arbitrator, the reaction was exactly what was hoped for: spirited, curious, and deeply thoughtful. Several respondents expressed skepticism. We welcome and appreciate all comments, and I look forward to sharing our progress as we work with clients and AAA arbitrators excited to be a part of the inaugural and voluntary roll out.

    That said, I would like to clarify what our AI arbitrator will be at launch, what it won’t be at launch, and how we’re making sure that the trust built over nearly a century of arbitration remains at the heart of this new process.

    First and Most Importantly: Every Case Has a Human Arbitrator

    Despite what the term “AI arbitrator” might suggest, no case is decided solely by AI.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Parties submit their claims and evidence.
    2. Parties validate that the AI arbitrator has accurately summarized their submissions.
    3. AI arbitrator then parses claims, analyzes evidence, applies law, and drafts a proposed award with record citations.
    4. An AAA-trained human arbitrator reviews, revises as needed, finalizes, and issues the award.

    This “human-in-the-loop” structure allows for every decision to be grounded in real legal judgment and transparent reasoning—not algorithms alone.

    Furthermore, party participation is entirely optional. Both parties must agree to use the AI arbitrator. If one or both prefer a traditional AAA arbitration, that’s exactly what they’ll get.

    We’re starting with two-party, documents-only construction disputes—cases where there are no live witnesses and where speed and efficiency are paramount. As the technology matures, we’ll expand to other case types, always with human oversight built in.

    For nearly a century, the AAA has helped people and businesses resolve disputes fairly and efficiently. The AI arbitrator is our next step in carrying that mission forward—using technology to scale fairness, not to substitute for it. Take a look at the below selection of FAQs crafted to help address some common inquiries.

    1. Is the AI arbitrator actually deciding cases on its own?

    No. Every decision made by the AI arbitrator involves a human arbitrator. The AI arbitrator uses legal reasoning to draft a recommended award—not a final decision. An AAA-trained human arbitrator reviews the AI’s analysis, revises if needed, and issues the final, binding award.

    2. Does the AI replace human legal judgment or ethics?

    No. Human legal judgment remains central at every step. The AI arbitrator acts as an analytical tool—it organizes and reasons through case documents, but only a human arbitrator can finalize an award. Every output is validated for logic, fairness, and legal soundness by an experienced AAA arbitrator trained in AI arbitrator oversight. Carefully crafted AAA frameworks and standards are baked into every layer of the AI arbitration platform’s development to allow for transparency and accountability.

    3.  What data is the AI arbitrator trained on?

    For its initial launch, the AI arbitrator was trained on real AAA construction awards—more than 1,500+ expert-labeled awards—and refined through expert human calibration.  This training gives the system domain-specific expertise while protecting confidentiality.

    4. Can parties review the AI’s draft before a final award?

    This is not a black box. While the parties do not see the AI’s draft award, during the filing and response process, they do have the opportunity to review and confirm that the AI correctly summarized their claims and submissions before their information is submitted.

    5. Is participation in AI arbitration mandatory?

    No. The AI arbitrator is completely opt-in. Both parties must agree to use it; otherwise, the case proceeds under traditional AAA arbitration.

    6. How does this affect arbitrators?

    This innovation is designed to empower, not replace, human arbitrators.  The AI arbitrator increases the speed and volume of cases, which we think can provide more opportunities for panelists. Arbitrators working on AI-led cases receive specialized training in reviewing AI-generated analyses.

    7. Is this suitable for complex or subjective cases?

    Not yet. The AI arbitrator’s initial deployment focuses on documents-only construction disputes—cases without live witnesses or complex factual issues.  As the system matures  AAA may expand its use to other case types.

    8. How do we ensure fairness and trust in this process?

    AAA’s reputation for fairness is built on nearly a century of trusted arbitration. Every AI-led case follows AAA’s ethical frameworks, due process principles, and disclosure requirements. Parties will always know who their arbitrator is, how the case is handled, and how the decision is made. AAA maintains a dedicated AI Governance Committee overseeing compliance, ethics, and model outputs.

    9. What are the time and cost benefits?

    Early testing shows 20–25% faster resolution times and 35% or greater cost savings in documents-only construction disputes.

    10. What if the AI “gets it wrong”?

    The human arbitrator is ultimately responsible for detecting and correcting any deficiencies before issuing the final award. Every award remains the human arbitrator’s award, not the AI’s. The AI assists, but the decision—and accountability—stays human.

    For more information or for a demo, please contact me at ZainoJ@adr.org.


  • Wednesday, October 01, 2025 2:21 PM | Anonymous
    International Arbitration • Aceris Law

    The AAA-ICDR announced in September that it will “release an AI Arbitrator to deliver fast, cost-effective, and trusted dispute resolution. The AI arbitrator will first be available in November 2025 for documents-only construction cases, a high-volume area where efficiency and speed are essential.”

    What are your thoughts about the use of an AI arbitrator?

  • Thursday, September 25, 2025 12:25 PM | Anonymous

    5 Common Conflicts of Interest for Corporation Directors

    An arbitrator is retained by the ABC law firm to be a neutral wing arbitrator in a matter where the arbitration clause states that each side retains an arbitrator and the two select a Chair. During the course of the arbitration, a different attorney at the ABC law firm calls the arbitrator directly to retain her services for a mediation. May the arbitrator engage in a conversation with this attorney? May the arbitrator agree to the new retention? How would you handle this situation?

    What are your thoughts?

  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025 7:50 AM | Anonymous

    What is ‘Design for Manufacturing’? – Polaris MEP

    Does a party have the right to challenge a party appointed arbitrator for conflicts? What should be the standards, if any, for removal? Are the standards different than those for challenging arbitrators appointed by an arbitral institution? Are the standards different for non-neutral arbitrators? 

    What are your thoughts?

  • Thursday, September 11, 2025 7:37 PM | Anonymous


    Florida Divorce & Child Custody | Appealing Attorneys Fees - Collection Title

    This question concerns the situation where there is a right to attorney fees to the prevailing party, in particular in employment and consumer matters. Since the advent of many bans on class actions, it is frequently the case that the claimants’ firms represent multiple claimants against the same respondent with nearly identical claims.  Sometimes this occurs in the mass arbitration context, but also frequently where a firm might represent 3-10 claimants.  In evaluating an attorney fee request from the claimant's attorney after a finding in favor of the claimant, how should the firms representation of multiple claimants affect the attorney fee award, if at all. Frequently, the firms are able to use sections of their briefs, particularly regarding the legal issues, in multiple cases.

    What are your thoughts?

  • Wednesday, September 03, 2025 7:17 PM | Anonymous

    What is an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and why should you care?

    May arbitrators include "continuing jurisdiction" provisions in awards without party request?  Is this a common practice?

    What are your thoughts?

  • Friday, August 29, 2025 12:03 PM | Anonymous

    Is Quantum Computing Closer Than Ever?! Unlikely U.S. Tariff Beneficiary!

    How should arbitrators approach quantum calculations? How much should arbitrators ask of the parties and quantum experts? Should the arbitrators decide the quantum issues and write the Award based on the parties submissions and not ask for additional materials from parties or their quantum experts? Or, should the arbitrators ask for additional materials from parties or their experts if they deem such additional information relevant and material to deciding the "quantum" outcome of the case in the Award?

    What are your thoughts?

  • Friday, August 22, 2025 9:59 AM | Anonymous

    When can a defendant seek further security for costs?

    Assuming the arbitrator is authorized to award legal costs and expenses, what factors should an arbitrator consider in determining whether to order a party to provide security for costs? E.g., that party's ability or willingness to comply with an adverse decision on costs in the final award; the effect that providing security for costs may have on its ability to pursue its claim or counterclaim; and the conduct of the parties? Should the party seeking security have to show a reasonable likelihood or possibility of prevailing on its claim or defense?

    What are your thoughts?

  • Wednesday, August 13, 2025 4:26 PM | Anonymous


    You've Been Subpoenaed… Now What? | Edelson Foord Law

    If an arbitration clause specifies the hearing location and allows it to be changed only upon mutual consent, may a panel meet in a different location in order to hear a witness who is beyond the subpoena range of the designated hearing location? 

    What are your thoughts?

  • Thursday, August 07, 2025 10:28 AM | Anonymous

    a Lawsuit Be Reopened After Settlement ...

    Is it ever appropriate to reopen the record after briefing is complete?

    What are your thoughts?

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