From July 1 to 2, 2026, at the invitation of the AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC) in Astana, Kazakhstan, Wei Ziping, Director of the Supervision and Coordination Division of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and Secretary-General of the CIETAC South China Sub-Commission, led a delegation to Kazakhstan to attend the fourth IAC Eurasia Arbitration Week (EAW26). Director Wei delivered a thematic presentation during a panel session on July 2.

Organized by the AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC), Eurasia Arbitration Week is an influential annual event in Central Asia and has now been held for four consecutive years. This year’s event brought together renowned experts, arbitrators, judges, in-house counsel, academics, and institutional representatives from the dispute resolution community across Eurasia and around the world. Discussions focused on the framework of arbitration culture in Central Asia, investment opportunities and risks from a dispute resolution perspective, and cutting-edge issues concerning artificial intelligence and related laws.

Director Wei Ziping delivered a thematic presentation during the panel entitled “AI in Arbitration: Appropriate Use, Limits & Ethics.” The moderator and panelists came from technology companies, leading universities, law firms, and arbitration institutions, making the panel broadly representative. Discussions centered on the diverse applications of AI in arbitration, the appropriate boundaries of transparency and disclosure regarding AI use, and the prospects for developing uniform standards governing such use.

(Director Wei Ziping participating in the panel and delivering a thematic presentation)

In her presentation, Director Wei Ziping highlighted CIETAC’s online dispute resolution (ODR) framework and its recent practical achievements in integrating AI with arbitration. She noted that in 2025, 3,386 cases were filed with CIETAC online, accounting for 60% of all cases accepted that year. CIETAC conducted 2,029 online or hybrid hearings, representing one-third of all hearings held during the year, and provided parties from 52 countries and regions with access to video hearings. A total of 445 cases were completed entirely online through CIETAC’s ODR platform.

Addressing cutting-edge issues such as the diverse applications of AI in arbitration, Director Wei Ziping observed that both the extent of AI involvement and its specific uses vary considerably. Accordingly, disclosure requirements should be determined on a case-by-case basis. She illustrated this point by referring to relevant provisions of CIETAC’s 2024 Arbitration Rules and specific examples.

On the prospect of establishing uniform standards for the use of AI, Director Wei Ziping stated that such standards are indeed urgently needed in the long term. At present, however, a more prudent approach would be to continue monitoring developments in AI and accumulating practical experience across arbitration institutions. On July 18, 2025, CIETAC issued the Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Arbitration (For Trial Implementation), the first normative guidelines in the Asia-Pacific region concerning the use of AI in arbitration. Grounded in the fundamental principles of party autonomy, AI-assisted adjudication, and good faith, the Guidelines promote the safe and prudent use of AI technology. They seek to strike a sound balance between improving arbitral efficiency and managing risks, providing a highly valuable institutional reference for the international arbitration community as it responds to technological change.

As the representative of the only Chinese arbitration institution being invited to speak, Director Wei Ziping comprehensively presented CIETAC’s innovative practices and institutional initiatives in integrating AI with arbitration. Her presentation further strengthened CIETAC’s professional influence and industry leadership in the digital and intelligent transformation of international arbitration.

The participants showed strong interest in CIETAC’s development and advanced practices. Following the panel discussion, a number of participants approached the CIETAC delegation to exchange views on relevant professional issues, creating a lively atmosphere at the venue.

(CIETAC representatives exchanging views with participants at the venue)

During the event, Director Wei Ziping presented a certificate of appointment to Sergei Vataev, a CIETAC arbitrator from Kazakhstan.

(Director Wei Ziping presenting a certificate of appointment to Sergei Vataev, a CIETAC arbitrator from Kazakhstan)

Wang Bihan, Case Manager of the Supervision and Coordination Division of CIETAC, and Wang Yi, Case Manager of the Domestic Cases Division of CIETAC, also attended the event.