Robot, Inc.: Personhood for Autonomous Systems?
22 Pages Posted: 10 Mar 2020
Date Written: February 17, 2020
Abstract
To date, no legal system classifies robots or other autonomous systems as legal subjects, instead leaving them to share the classification of other artifacts: objects. This arcticle examines whether the law should change and recognize robots and software agents as "ePersons", capable of attracting and absorbing tort liability. It develops the concept of "liability subject" and weighs the costs and benefits of classifying ePersons accordingly. In doing so, it provides an outline of liability regimes for traditional liability subjects, namely manufacturers and users, in order to measure the gap in the liability system that robot liability could fill.
Keywords: Torts, Liability, Legal Personhood, ePerson, Artificial Intelligence, Robots, Products Liability, User Liability
JEL Classification: K10, K13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation