Legal Personality of “Artifi cial Intelligence”

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of the paper is to examine the legal nature of artificial intelligence technologies, and the possibility of classifying them as legal entities. Resolving this issue is the starting point for developing and regulating the relations involving the employment of such technologies.

Methods and Materials: The study is conducted primarily from the perspective of applying the theory of human legal personality to the legally significant characteristics of AI, including its relatively high level of autonomy, and intellectual activity, its results becoming almost indistinguishable from those of humans. The research methodology utilizes both general scientific methods, including systemic and logical ones, and specific research tools, such as comparative legal and formal legal methods.

Research Results and Discussion: The study examines the potential of artificial intelligence systems to possess the status of legal entities and their potential to become equal participants in legal relations. The author analyzes the characteristics of artificial intelligence within the framework of the current “human-centered” approach to achieve the awareness of the concept of a legal entity. It has also been established that the determining factor in defining a legal personality is will, which AI does not possess.

Conclusion: Currently, it is impossible to classify AI systems as legal entities, since, although they possess some characteristics of a legal personality, they lack will. Despite their relatively high level of autonomy, AI remains technically and technologically limited, lacking the ability to autonomously set up and implement the goals.