Cocktails & Conversations: AI > D, E & I? Let's Not Let Innovation be the Answer to Progress in Diversity

Program Recording: LINK
Program Materials: LINK

There have been numerous initiatives to promote diversity in mediation and arbitration. From institutional commitments to those promoted by JAMS, CEDR, CIArb, ICC, LCIA, SIAC and NYIAC. The focus has been on access and inclusion and additional initiatives introduced by practitioners and practitioner groups such as Arbitral Women, The Pledge and REAL have also promoted the need for access and the benefits to clients and the process. Therefore, AI should help to assist by providing access and democratizing the process for all.

While we still do not know all the potential benefits, applications, or use of AI in ADR we do know from other fields the challenge that some have faced because of the potential bias in the intelligence itself. In the book “Invisible Women: Exposing data bias in a world designed for men” by Perez, she discusses the ‘gender data gap’ and the apparent ‘silence’ that has developed and the lack of understanding that has emerged. This is also supported by Roselli, Mattews and Talagala, who acknowledged “Many data sets contain bias that inevitably impacts AI systems that use that data” in Managing Bias in AI. In Companion Proceedings of the 2019 World Wide Web Conference, San Francisco, CA USA, May 2019.

This discussion will focus on what we currently know about AI, bias the potential impact on the diversity of inclusion and diversity of analysis. We will examine what will need to be done by institutions, practitioners, and researchers to recognize the impact and influence of bias on access, inclusion and ultimately decision-making.

So, while AI is going to be part of ADR’s future it should also be adopted in use with an understanding of the use and suitability of the processes introduced so therefore it can balance any inherent discrimination or bias.

Featured Speakers:

• Ryan Abbott, International Arbitrator and Mediator, JAMS – London
• Hiro Aragaki, International Arbitrator and Mediator, JAMS – London
• Asad Dhunna, Founder & CEO, The Unmistakables - London
• Kim Keenan, International Arbitrator and Mediator, JAMS – London
• Emilia Onyema, Professor of International Commercial Law at OAS, Independent Arbitrator – London
• Susanne Schuler, Director of Training and Consultancy, Senior Consultant & Mediator, CEDR – London

Additional speakers to be confirmed