AI has become a major topic in every industry, but how does it apply to mediation? Is it truly safe? At West Coast Family Mediation (WCFM), we see recent advances in AI as just the beginning of its potential. We are committed to being open about our use of these technologies and want to ensure you understand how to safely use them when preparing for your sessions.
How Can You Use AI to Prepare for your Mediation Sessions?
You don’t have to wait for your mediation session to start using technology to your advantage. Here are a few safe ways you can use AI (like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini) to feel more prepared:
- Organize Your Thoughts: AI is excellent at helping you move from “vague concerns” to a clear list of priorities.
- Understand Complex Terms: If you receive a financial document or a legal form that feels like another language, AI can help translate it into plain English.
- Practice Difficult Conversations: Mediation often involves high-stakes communication. You can use AI to “roleplay” a conversation or to help reframe emotional language into something more constructive.
A Note on Safety & Security
While AI is a powerful assistant, it is not a mediator or a lawyer. It should be noted that any use of AI needs to be continually moderated to ensure there are no “hallucinations” where the AI makes up information, or instances of the AI learning without proper direction. To protect yourself, avoid entering personal details. Always bring AI-generated ideas to your mediator for professional clarification, because AI can give misinformation and cannot understand your family’s unique emotional nuances or “read the room” during a difficult negotiation.
How Do We Use AI To Support You Without Losing the Human Touch?
Streamlined Intake: We use Smith.ai to collect basic demographic data, freeing our staff to focus on assisting active clients with scheduling and document management.
Faster Document Drafting: Gavel helps us draft Marital Settlement Agreements (MSAs) by placing your specific agreements into our custom templates. This has cut our drafting time from four hours down to two, getting you to a final agreement faster.
Enhanced Security & Analysis: We use Gemini for Business, which offers the highest level of email security. It also allows our mediators to instantly find specific data within long email threads.
Our goal at West Coast Family Mediation is to empower you with every tool available. Whether human and technological, there are many resources to help you navigate this transition with care and efficiency.