AI exposure Legal
Will AI replace arbitrators?
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators. US occupation 23-1022.
The reading
24.3%
of the time arbitrators spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of arbitrators' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 94 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 87% of them.Further along than 87% of them.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
Well above the typical job.Ahead of most of the workforce.
What AI already does for arbitratorsWhat arbitrators no longer do alone
O*NET lists 20 tasks for arbitrators. AI use at work shows up in 4 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.
- Research laws, regulations, policies, or precedent decisions to prepare for hearings.Core task mostly automated 0.86
- Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.Core task mostly automated 0.86
- Use mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives, and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.Core task automated and assisted 0.78
- Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.Core task automated and assisted 0.74
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
16 of the 20 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Authorize payment of valid claims.Core task
- Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.Core task
- Conduct initial meetings with disputants to outline the arbitration process, settle procedural matters, such as fees, or determine details, such as witness numbers or time requirements.Core task
- Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests.Core task
- Determine extent of liability according to evidence, laws, or administrative or judicial precedents.Core task
- Evaluate information from documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.Core task
Show the other 10
- Issue subpoenas or administer oaths to prepare for formal hearings.Core task
- Prepare settlement agreements for disputants to sign.Core task
- Recommend acceptance or rejection of compromise settlement offers.Core task
- Rule on exceptions, motions, or admissibility of evidence.Core task
- Set up appointments for parties to meet for mediation.Core task
- Conduct studies of appeals procedures to ensure adherence to legal requirements or to facilitate disposition of cases.
- Interview claimants, agents, or witnesses to obtain information about disputed issues.
- Organize or deliver public presentations about mediation to organizations, such as community agencies or schools.
- Participate in court proceedings.
- Specialize in the negotiation and resolution of environmental conflicts involving issues such as natural resource allocation or regional development planning.
How that compares
Among the 7 legal occupations, arbitrators rank 4. The group averages 21.6%, and its most exposed job is Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates at 31.1%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.
Just above in the ranking
- 91Biological Scientists, All Other 24.5%
- 91Dietetic Technicians 24.5%
- 93Procurement Clerks 24.4%
Just below
What this does and does not mean
Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.
A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.
Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.