The American Arbitration Association® (AAA) had an exciting and productive start to 2025, marked by increased engagement across our panel, the launch of new tools to support arbitration, and a deepened investment in innovation and impact. At the core of this momentum is our unwavering commitment to delivering fair, efficient, and accessible arbitration and mediation services.
Innovation to Support Alternative Dispute Resolution
The year began with a strong emphasis on innovation in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), focused on providing tools that enhance efficiency and simplify the work of AAA panelists and users. Two new AI-powered assistants are now live, offering quick, accessible guidance for those navigating arbitration:
- Case Filing Assistant: An AI-powered chatbot designed to provide smart, intuitive guidance to help users file cases with the AAA more quickly and efficiently.
- New York State Insurance Q&A Tool: An interactive chatbot that answers frequently asked questions related to New York State insurance arbitration, helping users move through the process more efficiently.
Additionally, the AAA’s WebFile, an online case filing and management system for parties, and the Panelist eCenter®, a secure digital case management platform for panelists, include the Hearing Exhibits space—a secure, centralized tool for managing evidentiary exhibits. This feature streamlines the exchange and review process between parties and arbitrators by offering real-time visibility, intuitive labeling features, and robust encryption. By eliminating the need for hard copies, it significantly reduces administrative costs and enhances efficiency across the dispute resolution process.
As technology plays an increasing role in ADR, the AAA remains committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI. AI tools offer efficiencies in document summarization, citation verification, and fact-checking, allowing arbitrators to focus on fair, informed decision-making. The AAAi Standards for AI in ADR and the accompanying framework for AAA-ICDR Guidance provides insight so AI use can align with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and human oversight.
Advancing Equity and Innovation
Innovation was front and center at our annual Board meeting in New York, where nearly 100 attendees engaged with presentations from key Council Committees. Highlights from these sessions included:
- Healthcare: Case filings have more than doubled since 2019. The committee previewed the 2026 Innovation & Strategy Conference, a biennial event for exploring critical issues in healthcare and ADR, and discussed AI-powered workflow projects.
- Life Sciences: Noted that 67% of 2024 awards involved a single arbitrator and announced plans for an International Life Sciences Conference in Boston this December.
- Construction: Shared new guidance on e-discovery in arbitration—an essential resource for navigating complex project disputes.
- Arbitrator Committee: Introduced updated disclosure checklists and enhancements to our conflict database.
- Large Complex Case Committee: Discussed their collaboration with the Arbitrator Committee and their work on best practices, guidelines, and resources for tribunal secretaries and regarding dispositive motions in LCC cases.
The meeting also highlighted the work of the AAA-ICDR Foundation® and its grantee, Roca, which presented on its Rewire4 initiative—an impactful program supporting frontline workers through trauma-informed practices.
Updated Rules
In keeping with its values of adaptability and transparency, the AAA has also updated its Consumer and Employment/Workplace Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures. These revisions reflect public feedback, evolving legal and technological landscapes, and a commitment to improving the arbitration experience for all participants.
Consumer Rules updates include:
- New Consumer Mediation Procedures
- Virtual hearings as the default, with in-person options available
- Enhanced information exchange standards
- Introduction of contract-based appeal provisions
Employment Rules updates include:
- Broader scope to encompass a wider range of workplace disputes
- Clearer case administration guidelines
- Increased arbitrator authority in managing process and preliminary matters
- Stronger emphasis on fair information sharing and party participation
These changes support the AAA’s ongoing mission to provide modern, responsive dispute resolution solutions rooted in fairness and integrity.
Record-Breaking Engagement at the 2025 Panel Conference
Continuing the momentum, the AAA hosted its 2025 Panel Conference in March, with than 475 attendees. Over the course of two days, the event featured 12 topical breakout sessions, a legal tech expo, and the debut of our Panelist Recognition Awards. Colin Rule, CEO of ODR.com, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the growing impact of technology in dispute resolution.
Other highlights included a fireside chat with our Women’s Resource Group and a spotlight on the Meadows Mental Health Institute, a Foundation grantee. Enhancements such as QR-based CLE tracking, video résumé and headshot services, digital badges, and the launch of Clearbrief Academy were very well received—90% of post-event survey respondents rated the conference “Excellent” or “Very Good.”
What’s Ahead
This tremendous progress reflects the culture of the AAA community: curious, collaborative, and committed to the future of fair, efficient dispute resolution. Whether through cutting-edge tools, thought leadership, or deepening panel engagement, the AAA is proud to help shape the future of ADR.