Along with other international arbitral institutions, Ciarb has made some suggestions on the draft EU Commission Guidelines on the classification of high-risk AI systems. 

The European Commission published its draft guidelines on the classification of high-risk systems in May 2026. The consultation period has now ended, and the final guidelines will be adopted at the end of 2026, and will come into effect in December 2027. 

The joint letter, which Ciarb signed alongside 15 other arbitral institutions, makes two requests. First, regarding the high-risk classification in alternative dispute resolution, the relevant obligations apply to AI systems used by arbitral tribunals for decision-making and adjudication, not to AI systems used solely for administrative or organisational purposes. 

Secondly, that that the European Commission revisit the characterisation of “investment dispute bodies”. 

The fundamental distinction is that it is the arbitral tribunal, not the institution, that exercises the adjudicative function and renders the awards.  

Ciarb and the other 15 arbitral institutions are concerned that the misattribution of high-risk obligations to arbitral institutions could create disproportionate regulatory burdens and risk obscuring genuine accountability.  

Don MacIntyre, CEO of Ciarb, commented: “The international arbitration community’s contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on high-risk AI systems is both timely and important. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into dispute resolution, it is essential that regulatory obligations are assigned to the actors responsible for adjudicative decision-making. This submission provides a clear and constructive roadmap for ensuring that the EU AI Act reflects the realities of international arbitration.” 

The letter was submitted jointly on behalf of the following institutions:  

• CAM – Milan Chamber of Arbitration 

• CEPANI – Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation 

• Delos Dispute Resolution 

• DIS – German Arbitration Institute 

• ICC International Court of Arbitration & International Centre for ADR 

• ICSID – International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes 

• International Centre for Dispute Resolution – American Arbitration Association 

• LCIA – London Court of International Arbitration 

• NAI – Netherlands Arbitration Institute 

• SCC Arbitration Institute 

• Swiss Arbitration Centre 

• The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Ciarb 

• The Danish Institute of Arbitration 

• The Finland Arbitration Institute 

• The Permanent Arbitration Court at the Croatian Chamber of Economy – The PAC CCE VIAC – Vienna International Arbitral Centre 

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