AI in Mediation: Global Overview and Ethical Frameworks

Which countries use AI most in mediation?

While precise data on AI use in mediation is still lacking, global AI adoption statistics show clear patterns:

• Singapore leads worldwide, followed by China, India, and the UAE (all above 80%).

• In Europe, France, Germany, and Italy report more modest adoption rates.

Pioneers in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)

• Estonia: launched an AI judge pilot project for small claims under €7,000

• UK & Canada: first “robot mediators” already resolving disputes

• US, Canada, Europe, Australia: early adopters of AI for family disputes

• Nigeria: Court86 is Africa’s first ODR platform for e-commerce and commercial disputes, with further initiatives (SettlementHub, Mediate.ng) addressing a backlog of over 200,000 unresolved cases

How do mediators use AI?

In 2025, AI supports mediation by automating repetitive tasks such as data analysis, scheduling, and document management. Still, around 60% of mediators rely mainly on face-to-face interactions.
Popular tools include:

• CalendarHero (scheduling)

• Descrybe AI (legal research)

• Sonix (secure transcription)

• ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude (case preparation & strategy)

Ethical frameworks and regulation

• United States: in July 2024, the ABA issued its first formal guidance on generative AI in legal practice, stressing competence, confidentiality, and mandatory human oversight.

• Europe: the AI Act, in force since August 2024, is the first global comprehensive AI law. AI systems in justice and ADR are considered “high-risk.” The European AI Office ensures compliance.

• Switzerland & global standards: in April 2024, the Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center (SVAMC)released the first global AI guidelines for arbitration and mediation, including transparency requirements, bans on delegating decision-making to AI, and final human accountability. The Swiss Arbitration Centre in Geneva hosts regular conferences on AI in dispute resolution.

Outlook

AI in mediation is still emerging: initiatives are innovative but fragmented, while ethical frameworks evolve rapidly. The key question is no longer if AI will be used, but how to ensure it serves justice responsibly and transparently.