Partner David Isidore Tan from the International Arbitration Practice has co-authored the 2025 Year in Review in International Arbitration focusing on Technology, published on the Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
The article explores developments in arbitration practice in 2025, a year marked by the transition of technology – particularly artificial intelligence (“AI“) – from experimental novelty to normalised use in arbitration. It considers the extent to which technological tools are being used either to enhance existing arbitral processes or to support more far‑reaching reform, while noting that prevailing legal frameworks continue to constrain large‑scale transformation. Notwithstanding the increased use of AI, the article observes that concerns persisted in 2025, with arbitration practitioners continuing to identify the risks of undetected errors and bias as significant constraints on broader acceptance of AI.
Against this backdrop, the article considers the institutional response to AI. Amid growing scepticism towards binding regulation, a number of arbitral institutions issued AI guidelines in 2025. While these initiatives reflect a clear demand from arbitration practitioners for guidance, they have also attracted criticism. In particular, the article highlights that although all guidelines address whether arbitrators should disclose their use of AI, the approaches vary significantly, prompting questions as to whether such guidance may have emerged in advance of any settled best practice.
The article further examines the expanding role of arbitration in intellectual property disputes, particularly patent disputes, alongside the practical risks and challenges associated with the deployment of technology in arbitral proceedings.
This year-in-review provides practitioners and clients with a practice‑focused overview of how technology, including AI, is reshaping international arbitration, equipping them to make informed decisions on efficiency, risk management and dispute‑resolution strategy in an increasingly digital arbitral landscape.
The full article is available here.
Find out more about our International Arbitration Practice here.
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