Will AI replace Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators?
AI can do 80% of the work Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 4 of their 20 tasks, while 11 more are ready but barely used so far. 5 still need a person.
AI is already doing this4 · 38% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Use mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives, and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.Mostly automated14% of time
- Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.Mostly assisted11% of time
- Research laws, regulations, policies, or precedent decisions to prepare for hearings.Mostly automated7% of time
- Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.Mostly automated7% of time
AI could do this next11 · 42% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests.12% of time
- Evaluate information from documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.7% of time
- Prepare settlement agreements for disputants to sign.5% of time
- Set up appointments for parties to meet for mediation.4% of time
- Interview claimants, agents, or witnesses to obtain information about disputed issues.4% of time
- Conduct initial meetings with disputants to outline the arbitration process, settle procedural matters, such as fees, or determine details, such as witness numbers or time requirements.4% of time
- Organize or deliver public presentations about mediation to organizations, such as community agencies or schools.1% of time
- Recommend acceptance or rejection of compromise settlement offers.1% of time
- Issue subpoenas or administer oaths to prepare for formal hearings.1% of time
- Authorize payment of valid claims.1% of time
- Conduct studies of appeals procedures to ensure adherence to legal requirements or to facilitate disposition of cases.1% of time
Still needs a person5 · 20% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.9% of time
- Determine extent of liability according to evidence, laws, or administrative or judicial precedents.4% of time
- Rule on exceptions, motions, or admissibility of evidence.3% of time
- Participate in court proceedings.3% of time
- Specialize in the negotiation and resolution of environmental conflicts involving issues such as natural resource allocation or regional development planning.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 4 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 11 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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