Can Artificial Intelligence Function as an Arbitrator? A Legal and Ethical Analysis

Justice has always been regarded as a distinctly human responsibility. But as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of performing complex legal tasks, can it also be trusted to decide disputes? This question lies at the heart of the growing debate on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration. The expanding use of AI in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), legal research, document review, and case management has significantly reshaped arbitral practice, raising important questions about whether AI can move beyond assisting decision-makers to functioning as an arbitrator itself. This paper examines the legal and ethical feasibility of AI acting as an arbitrator within the existing framework of international and domestic arbitration law. It explores whether current legal instruments recognise or implicitly exclude AI arbitrators, analyses the ethical concerns associated with AI-driven adjudication, and considers the reforms required for its responsible integration into arbitral proceedings.