Abstract
In an era of rapid digital transformation, arbitration is undergoing a technological evolution poised to redefine how disputes are resolved globally. This paper examines the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in arbitration to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve procedural transparency. Through comparative legal analysis, doctrinal methods, and examination of real-world implementations, the paper explores how AI augments legal research and predictive analytics, how blockchain ensures evidence integrity and smart contract execution, and how ODR platforms democratize access to justice. Simultaneously, it critiques challenges like algorithmic bias, legal admissibility, data privacy, and jurisdictional fragmentation. It concludes by advocating for adaptive regulatory frameworks, ethical AI governance, and increased digital literacy among practitioners to establish a balanced, inclusive arbitration system fit for the digital age.
Keywords: Arbitration, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Smart Contracts, Legal Research, Predictive Analytics, Digital Infrastructure, Algorithmic Bias, Data Privacy, Regulatory Standards
1. Introduction
Arbitration has long been heralded as a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional litigation. It offers confidentiality, party autonomy, and international enforceability under instruments such as the New York Convention of 1958[1]. However, the arbitral process is not without criticism. Concerns around procedural delays, rising costs, jurisdictional complexities, and limited access—especially for SMEs and individual litigants—persistently challenge its efficacy.[2]
In response to these concerns, legal practitioners and institutions are increasingly turning to technology. Emerging digital tools—most notably Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)—offer transformative possibilities. These technologies not only promise greater efficiency and accessibility but also signal a paradigmatic shift in how justice is delivered across borders.
The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for technological adoption in arbitration. Remote hearings, electronic filings, and cloud-based document management became commonplace[^3][3]. However, deeper integration of technologies like AI and blockchain represents a more profound evolution, touching core arbitral functions like evidence evaluation, legal reasoning, and award enforcement.
This paper examines the application, advantages, and limitations of these technologies in arbitration. It employs a doctrinal and comparative analysis of their practical use, ethical implications, and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions. The goal is to offer a forward-looking blueprint for developing a tech-empowered yet just arbitration ecosystem.
[1] UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, 1985 (with 2006 amendments).
[2]Queen Mary University of London & White & Case, ‘International Arbitration Survey: Adapting Arbitration to a Changing World’, 2021.
[3] O. Alarie et al., ‘The Path of the Law: Towards Legal Singularity Using AI,’ University of Toronto Law Journal, 2019.