Justice in the Digital Age: Can AI Transform Labour Dispute Resolution?

In an article for the Mail & Guardian, Prof. Letlhokwa George Mpedi and UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala write about the implications for dispute resolution mechanisms in South Africa as the labour market adapts to the digital age.

"AI can reduce backlogs in labour courts and arbitration bodies while also cutting costs for employees and employers ... AI-powered systems can also help HR departments detect patterns of discrimination or unfair dismissals, making workplace conflict resolution more data-driven and systematic. In other words, employment disputes could be solved more effectively before even approaching the CCMS [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration]."

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"AI systems can potentially promote consistency by applying the same analytical framework across similar cases, reducing the effect of human biases or inconsistencies that might affect traditional adjudication.

But issues such as algorithmic bias and accountability in case of errors would need to be addressed through transparency and oversight. This, in the context of AI, is a very real consideration."

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"The future may very well entail AI analysing disputes and providing recommendations, but it will still be important to adopt a human-in-the-loop approach to ensure fairness."

Read the full article on the Mail & Guardian website.