How Human is the Mediation/Conciliation Procedure?

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the extent to which computer programs can help (or even assume for themselves) the performance of the mediation/conciliation function. To do so, it is intended to present how International Business Machines (IBM) revolutionized the market for high complexity professions, developing Watson, a program designed to perform medical diagnostics. In the sequence, it will be discussed how Watson (followed by other similar programs) started to have a legal version and has progressively assumed functions that were once considered typical of lawyers. As a development, a reflection will be made on the specific skills required in mediation and conciliation activities, in an attempt to infer to what extent they can be outsourced to non-humans. Finally, a conclusion will be sought that estimates the extent to which computer programs have a real chance of taking on the mediation and conciliation activities exclusively, dispensing with no human collaboration.

Keywords

• Mediação
• Conciliação
• Advogados
• Não humanos
• Programas de computador