Contents:

In his lecture at the gws-forum 2024, Sascha Weigel will present and explain the Revolutionary role of artificial intelligence (AI) also for mediation and counselling. Under the title „Artificial intelligence as a helpful tool for mediators and counsellors“ Weigel delves into the world of AI language transformers and large language models to shed light on their potential for practical application.

Sascha begins with a personal review of his experiences with digitalisation and how these have influenced his affiliations. He emphasises that he is not speaking here as a professor, IT specialist or ethicist, but from the Perspective of an entrepreneur in the field of conflict counselling. The presentation emphasises the importance of AI tools such as ChatGPT, which not only serve as dialogue partners, but are also idea generators and companions in the mediation process, always available, never overloaded or annoyed.

A significant part of the keynote will be dedicated to the practical applications of AI in the mediation industry. He will go into detail on how AI tools can take over administrative tasks, such as translations and sorting information (specialised articles, including foreign-language ones!), and how they can support the preparation and follow-up of mediation sessions, for example by creating summaries and draft final agreements.

It also discusses the challenges and hopes associated with the use of new technologies. Here he also takes up the cudgels for the scepticism towards AI that results from ignorance of its possibilities and limitations, as well as the fear of an excess of new problems.

An innovative example from his own practice with INKOVEMA is the Mediation simulatorwhich uses GPT technology to realistically simulate training scenarios. This application demonstrates the potential of AI to take on not only supporting but also teaching functions in mediation training.

Finally, the keynote will address the topic of data protection and the secure use of AI tools in companies, with solutions for the responsible use of ChatGPT and similar technologies.

This keynote is worthwhile for anyone who is interested in the intersection of AI and mediation and counselling and wants to understand how these technologies could shape the future of conflict resolution, especially for (individual) companies. A profound insight into the possibilities that AI offers to make the mediation process, its initiation, preparation and follow-up more efficient, accessible and effective.