AAA® Launches AAAi Lab Podcast on AI's Impact in Law with CEO Bridget McCormack and Host Zach Abramowitz

NEW YORK (February 29, 2024)—The American Arbitration Association® (AAA) and its International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR®) have launched the AAAi Lab Podcast. This new monthly series from the AAAi Lab explores the impact of technological advancements, particularly generative AI, on the legal industry and dispute resolution. The podcast will feature conversations with innovators in technology and law, highlighting practical applications of AI.
“Innovation is in the American Arbitration Association’s DNA, and we see generative AI as an opportunity to drive our mission to lead in preventing and resolving disputes fairly and efficiently,” said Bridget McCormack, president and CEO of the AAA and special advisor to the American Bar Association’s AI Task Force. The podcast will chronical the organization’s initiatives in developing and implementing generative AI tools to enhance its operations and user experience. Additionally, it will feature discussions with legal tech leaders about their strategies for embracing comparable technological innovations.

McCormack's collaboration with Zach Abramowitz, the host of the Legally Disrupted Podcast and founder of Killer Whale Strategies, is set to augment the AAAi Lab Podcast with diverse insights into AI's impact on law. Their combined backgrounds—spanning academic, judicial and practical realms—provide a unique vantage point for exploring AI's evolving role in legal practices. “Zach’s perspective and relationships throughout the legal tech community are the perfect foundation for building exciting episodes with thoughtful leaders who have embraced the growing transformation GenAI is bringing to the legal community,” McCormack said, echoing Abramowitz’s anticipation of delivering high-energy conversations that are unparalleled in the legal tech space.

Abramowitz also highlighted the AAA’s transparent approach to sharing its journey with AI as a valuable case study for mature organizations looking to incorporate AI. Despite the AAA’s century-old legacy, which might not immediately evoke notions of innovation or disruption, Abramowitz said that its foundation was built on innovative thinking—a trait that continues to define its operations today.

At the recent Legalweek conference in New York, McCormack and Abramowitz initiated their collaborative venture by recording the podcast’s first four episodes live. Today marks the debut of the first two episodes. The opening discussions set the stage, with Abramowitz and McCormack outlining the objectives of the AAAi Lab and the anticipated direction for the series. This introduction is followed by a conversation with Diana Didia, AAA’s chief technology and innovation officer, who shares insights into the AAAi Lab’s initial product offerings and teases future developments planned for 2024.
Forthcoming episodes promise to enrich the dialogue further, featuring interviews with influential leaders such as Jacqueline Schafer, CEO of Clearbrief, and James Lee, CEO of LegalMation. Scheduled for release on the last Thursday of each month, these episodes aim to provide listeners with ongoing insights into the dynamic changes and advancements within the legal field.

Please visit the AAAi Lab Podcast website for more information: https://go.adr.org/aaai-podcasts.html.

About the American Arbitration Association

The not-for-profit American Arbitration Association (AAA) is the leading provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. It has administered more than seven million ADR cases since its founding in 1926. With 29 offices in the United States and Singapore, the AAA provides organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry with ADR services and products. For more information, visit www.adr.org.

About the International Centre for Dispute Resolution

The International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR®) is the international division of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the largest international provider of dispute resolution services. Established in 1996, the ICDR serves parties from over 100 countries with multilingual staff experienced in international dispute resolution proceedings and a roster of over 725 arbitrators and mediators. For more information, visit www.icdr.org.

About Killer Whale Strategies

Killer Whale Strategies is a forward-thinking strategic consulting firm founded in 2019 by lawyer-turned entrepreneur and legal startup investor, Zach Abramowitz. The firm works with organizations who want to capitalize on the wave of disruption sweeping over the legal industry. Its client base spans the entirety of the legal ecosystem, including global law firms, Fortune 500 legal departments, insurance companies, Big Four accounting firms, tech companies, investment firms and legal service providers. In addition to leading KWS, Abramowitz contributes to the discourse on legal innovation through his widely read newsletter, Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted, and as the host of the Legally Disrupted podcast. For more information visit www.killerwhalestratgies.com and www.legallydisrupted.com.

Media Contact

Lauren Nick
American Arbitration Association
+1.212.401.4808
NickL@adr.org