The AAAi Podcast

In Episode 19 of the AAAi Podcast, hosts Bridget McCormack and Zach Abramowitz discuss why the AI Arbitrator is gaining mainstream attention and why governance, not hype, is the real driver of AI adoption. They examine why technology is now the primary strategic focus for 38% of CLOs, unpack the "Walmart model" of intelligent application, and explain how the American Arbitration Association is using agentic systems to expand dispute resolution options. The episode also explores what responsible AI deployment looks like in 2026 and previews Bridget's upcoming Legalweek panel, "Trust Is the Product," featuring leaders from OpenAI, Moderna, and Freshfields.

Legal tech is starting to shift from AI-enhanced tools that help lawyers work faster to AI-native systems that change how legal work gets done. In this episode of the AAAi Podcast, Bridget McCormack and Zach Abramowitz are joined by Bob Ambrogi, the founder of LawSites and host of the LawNext podcast, and Timo Karakashev, founder of Cosmonauts, to explore what this shift looks like heading into 2026. They discuss new platform models, emerging AI-native law firms, and the move toward AI as a decision-maker in courts and arbitration. At the heart of the conversation is where pressure is building within the legal system, and why some of the most important changes are happening below the surface.

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) launched its AI Arbitrator in November 2025, and AAAi Podcast hosts Bridget McCormack and Zach Abramowitz sit down with Frank Rossi, AAA COO and CRO, to take listeners inside the project. They explore how the AAA's legacy of trust, neutrality, and innovation shaped the development of the AI Arbitrator, and why the AAA was uniquely positioned to build the AI Arbitrator. Together they share a behind the scenes look at how the system was developed, the testing and safeguards built into it, and how Frank's skepticism shifted to conviction about the potential of AI to transform alternative dispute resolution.

What if the real ROI of legal AI isn't efficiency, but lawyer happiness? Bridget McCormack and Zach Abramowitz talk with Farah Gasmi, cofounder and Chief Product Officer of Dioptra, about making contracts less painful with AI. Farah shares how Dioptra helps lawyers get "in the zone," why usable outputs matter more than speed, and how partnering with the AAA adds the trust lawyers need to rely on AI. Social Handles https://www.dioptra.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahgasmi/ https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2025/03/18/aaa-partners-with-dioptra-genai-pioneer/

Recorded live at Legalweek 2025 back in March, this episode asks a simple question: What happens when a veteran of CBS, Paramount, and Fortune steps into the world of arbitration? Bridget and Zach talk with AAA's new CMO Michael Joseloff about why legal's "business as usual" days are over, what lessons from media's disruption matter now, and how telling the right story builds trust when half a million disputes cross your desk every year.

In Episode 14 of the AAAi Podcast, Bridget McCormack and Zach Abramowitz sit down with Jennifer Leonard, Chief Innovation Officer at Penn Carey Law and founder of Creative Lawyers. Drawing on her work in legal ethics and education, Jennifer explains why the legal profession does not just need new tools. It needs a new operating system. The conversation covers the limits of traditional training, the role of systems thinking, and how law schools can better prepare lawyers to work with AI while staying grounded in public service.

What if the biggest legal risk today is institutional memory loss? Bridget and Zach talk with Sean West, author of Unruly and cofounder of Hence Technologies, about how geopolitical instability, AI disruption, and legal short-termism are converging. He explains why the future of dispute resolution depends on preserving memory, rethinking incentives, and acting before the storm hits. This episode is a wake-up call for legal leaders who want to do more than just react.

Richard Susskind, an Oxford-based author and consultant on the intersection of law and technology, shares his insights on how AI will reshape the legal landscape. He discusses the urgent need for the legal profession to adapt, prioritizing access to justice over conventional practices. Susskind explores how generative AI, like ChatGPT, has accelerated his vision for legal tech and emphasizes the importance of training law students for an AI-driven future. He considers whether lawyers should compete with AI or collaborate with it to enhance legal delivery.

What if lawyers didn't have to settle for chatbots? Bridget and Zach talk with Ryan Samii, Head of Legal at Hebbia.ai, about building the AI infrastructure legal teams actually want. He explains why Hebbia ditched chat for a grid—and how acting fast beats waiting for perfect. This episode is a playbook for smart risk, bold design, and legal teams who don't wait to get started.

Bridget and Zach talk with Clearbrief Founder and CEO Jaqueline Schafer. In this episode of The AAAi Podcast, we trace how a podcast conversation turned into a strategic partnership. It's a case study in building trust, piloting with purpose, and quietly rewriting what it means to be the global authority in dispute resolution.