AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026: Experts Advocate Early Digital Evidence Verification and Clear AI Rules in Arbitration

At AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026, legal practitioners discussed the growing challenges of authenticating digital evidence and identifying AI-generated material in arbitration disputes. The session titled "Truth.exe: AI, Digital Evidence and Technology Disputes" examined practical verification methods, the role of forensic experts, and the limitations of AI detection tools.

Lim Chee Yong, Partner at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, highlighted risks from deepfake videos and AI-generated documents being presented in arbitration. He cited a case where inconsistencies in movement, speech and metadata revealed the video's questionable authenticity. Lim stressed that lawyers must no longer take evidence at face value but instead examine documentary inconsistencies, seek certificates of origin and involve forensic experts early when necessary.

Panellists, moderated by Prof. Robert G Volterra, emphasized addressing authenticity challenges within procedural timetables rather than deferring them to the merits hearing. The discussion underscored the need for clearer protocols governing AI use by counsel, experts and arbitral tribunals to maintain confidence in the dispute resolution process.