The AAA at 100: AI, Online Dispute Resolution and the Next Century of Arbitration

The AAA at 100: AI, Online Dispute Resolution and the Next Century of Arbitration

As the American Arbitration Association marks 100 years, it’s already betting its next century on AI and online dispute resolution. In this episode of Arbitration Acumen, J.P. Duffy speaks with Bridget McCormack, president and CEO of the AAA-ICDR, about the organization’s centennial and what comes next. Bridget discusses her transition from chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court to leading one of the world’s most prominent arbitral institutions, the AAA-ICDR’s investment in online dispute resolution and mediation, and the organization’s use of AI tools to streamline arbitration and expand access to justice. She also explains the launch of the AAA-ICDR’s AI arbitrator, its initial use in documents-only construction disputes, the importance of human oversight, and her vision for using technology to expand access, efficiency and trust in dispute resolution over the next century.

ArbitrateAD: Building a Digital-First International Arbitration Centre in Abu Dhabi

In this episode of Arbitration Acumen, J.P. Duffy sits down with Maria Mazzawi, registrar of the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD), to explore how the institution has built one of the Middle East’s most modern arbitration frameworks from the ground up. Maria shares insights into arbitrateAD’s caseload growth, digital-first case management platform (docketAD), and procedural innovations, including emergency arbitration, expedited proceedings and early dismissal tools. The conversation also covers arbitrateAD’s expanding international caseload, its positioning within the UAE’s evolving dispute resolution landscape and its recent expansion into mediation and dispute avoidance services.

Mass Arbitration Series, Part 5: How Employers Respond to Mass Arbitration Claims

Mass arbitration is reshaping how employers manage risk in labor and employment disputes. In this final installment of the Mass Arbitration Series, host J.P. Duffy speaks with labor and employment partner Brian Patterson about how respondents are adapting to the growing use of mass arbitration as an alternative to class and collective actions. They discuss how arbitration agreements — which are often designed to limit aggregate exposure — can create new operational and financial pressures when large volumes of individual claims are filed simultaneously. The conversation also highlights how claim value, filing fees and procedural rules influence whether companies pursue early settlement or defend claims on the merits. The episode concludes with practical guidance for employers, including the importance of regularly updating arbitration clauses, aligning with evolving provider rules and avoiding inconsistent agreement frameworks across the workforce.

Mass Arbitration Series, Part 4: Claimant Strategies, Risks and Economics

Mass arbitration is reshaping how large-scale disputes are brought and resolved, particularly as class action waivers push claims into individual arbitration. In this episode of The Arbitration Acumen Podcast, J.P. Duffy speaks with Michael Hartmere, CEO of The HQ Firm, about the claimant’s approach to mass arbitration, including how firms vet and file claims at scale, manage operational and financial risk, and leverage technology and litigation funding. They discuss: * Key differences between mass arbitration and class actions * “Fee bombing” strategies * The growing role of technology in claim management * The economics of litigation funding and portfolio risk The episode also explores how claimant strategies are evolving in response to rule changes, institutional reforms and judicial scrutiny, positioning mass arbitration as a central and evolving feature of modern dispute resolution.

Mass Arbitration Series, Part 3: The AAA's Procedures

The Arbitration Acumen Podcast continues its series on mass arbitration with a discussion with Adam Shoneck, vice president for business development and outreach at the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Adam talks with host J.P. Duffy about the rise of mass arbitration following the US Supreme Court’s decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, the surge of “mega” filings beginning in 2019 and how the AAA responded with structured procedures.