HARNESSING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN COUNSELING: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) systems is rapidly transforming how conflicts are managed and resolved in digital environments. This paper explores the opportunities presented by AI-driven tools—such as automated negotiation platforms, chatbots, and predictive analytics—in enhancing the ef iciency, accessibility, and scalability of dispute resolution processes. While AI of ers significant benefits in reducing costs and expediting resolutions, its adoption also presents complex challenges including algorithmic bias, limited contextual sensitivity, and technological gaps, particularly in low-resource settings. Furthermore, the ethical and legal implications of delegating aspects of justice to machines—such as concerns around data privacy, accountability, and fairness—raise critical questions about the future of equitable conflict resolution. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, this paper provides a balanced analysis of the potentials and pitfalls of AI in ODR, and of ers recommendations for its responsible and ethical implementation in legal and quasi-legal contexts.