The research, spearheaded by James Griffin from the University of Exeter Law School, Kyriaki Noussia and Stanislava Nedeva from the University of Reading, Stavros Zervoudakis and Jonathan Lux from Lux Mediation, and John McNamara IBM master inventor, explores the intersection of AI and legal administration.

It found that by analysing complex digital watermarks, the AI systems demonstrated the capacity to expedite and enhance the accuracy of dispute resolutions.

Digital watermarks, commonly utilized in digital services such as YouTube, are increasingly vital for detecting instances of copying across various mediums, including traditional physical media and emerging technologies like 3D printing. 

“AI will revolutionise the administration of law due to the intersection between digital watermarking and machine learning,” said Professor Griffin.

One of the primary benefits highlighted by the study is the ability of AI to provide detailed evidence of infringements, however, experts caution that the proliferation of digital watermarking and AI technologies may also lead to a surge in small-scale disputes, prompting a re-evaluation of copyright boundaries.

“The integration of AI in arbitration promotes consistency and predictability in decision-making. AI-powered analytics can help identify patterns and trends in past arbitration decisions, enabling parties and arbitrators to make more informed and reliable judgments,” continued Griffin. 

The study also proposes a hybrid system where AI complements human arbitrators, emphasising that AI is designed not to replace human decision-makers but to enhance access to justice through efficient dispute resolution mechanisms. 

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As legal frameworks evolve to accommodate technological advancements, the integration of AI and digital watermarking promises to reshape the landscape of copyright enforcement and dispute resolution.

“It is apparent that there is a need for more explicit consideration in law of how watermarking can influence the direction of AI dispute resolution, through various ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) methods. In particular, there is a need to reconsider the role of the ‘judge’ or arbitrator or mediator in such AI—ADR methods, among other considerations,” said Noussia.