Dalal Alhouti and Robin Hayden write for The Oath on enhancing arbitration with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are already widely used in arbitration and increased uptake is predicted to be one of the key arbitration trends of 2025.

In the latest International Arbitration Survey by Queen Mary University of London, 90 per cent of respondents said they expected to use AI for research, data analytics and document review, and 54 per cent said saving time was the biggest driver for using AI.

However, usage has preceded a clear framework and agreed approach to its application. Against this backdrop, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has convened experts from diverse legal traditions to develop practical guidance. The result of this process was unveiled on March 19, 2025, when Ciarb published its “Guideline on the use of AI in arbitration” (the “Ciarb AI Guideline”). 

In an article for The Oath, Dalal Alhouti, Knowledge Counsel, and Robin Hayden, Trainee Solicitor, take a closer look at the Ciarb AI Guideline that addresses the benefits, risks and practical applications of AI tools to enhance efficiency and maintain integrity in arbitration.

The Ciarb AI Guideline prompts parties and arbitrators to consider their AI usage from the outset of a dispute, or even as early as the drafting of an arbitration clause. It reinforces the principle that parties should agree the form of their arbitration, as well as the role of the tribunal in the regulation of the conduct of proceedings. The risk-based approach accommodates generally accepted AI usage while encouraging express agreement regarding more contentious use. Throughout, the Ciarb AI Guideline reminds participants that an enforceable award is the objective of the arbitral process and this should govern attitudes to AI usage.

Read the full piece in The Oath here.