Practice Playbook Podcast Appearance

So thrilled to be asked to join Susan Guthrie on The Practice Playbook Podcast where we talk about getting back to the basics in what we do in the face of unjustified fears like: "Is AI replacing mediators?" Dispute resolution professionals are likely asking this right now because technology is so rapidly advancing. AI tools are everywhere and virtual practice is the norm. In our conversation, we find AI is not actually replacing mediators. It doesn't replace skill, rather it is helpful to automating scheduling, helping to summarize documents and making more information instantly accessible. What remains human is the mediator’s judgment, presence and ability to guide people through uncertainty. Technology reduces friction, not responsibility. Strong mediators become more visible in this environment. Their preparation is clearer. Their instincts are sharper. Their ability to read people and manage dynamics stands out. Technology does not resolve complex cases, but can help better define them. However, lived experience and intuition are what still drive successful mediation outcomes. AI systems cannot read a room yet! No algorithm can sense hesitation, fear, or strategic posturing in real time. No tool can decide when to push, when to pause, or when silence is doing the work. Those decisions come from vast experience. They come from curiosity and instincts developed over hundreds or thousands of cases. These are not skills that can be automated. They are earned. Mediation is fundamentally a human process. It relies on judgment, trust, and the ability to guide people through uncertainty, none of which can be replaced by technology. More data does not always produce better outcomes. One challenge in today’s mediation environment is the information paradox. Parties have access to more data than ever, yet clarity is often harder to achieve. Excess documentation, poorly timed disclosures, and last-minute revelations can slow progress instead of advancing it. Discernment is perhaps one of the most valuable skills a mediator brings to the room in this age. Knowing what matters, when it matters, and how to use information strategically is not a technical function. It is a professional one. Until real AGI? Give us a listen on the first episode of the new year here-- https://bit.ly/PPP-Lawrence-Kolin