EU Liability Rules for the Age of Artificial Intelligence

74 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2021

See all articles by Miriam Buiten

Miriam Buiten

University of St.Gallen

Alexandre de Streel

University of Namur; Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE)

Martin Peitz

University of Mannheim - Department of Economics

Date Written: April 1, 2021

Abstract

When Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems possess the characteristics of unpredictability and autonomy, they present challenges for the existing liability framework. Two questions about the liability of AI deserve attention from policymakers: 1) Do existing civil liability rules adequately cover risks arising in the context of AI systems? 2) How would modified liability rules for producers, owners, and users of AI play out? This report addresses the two questions for EU non-contractual liability rules. It considers how liability rules affect the incentives of producers, users, and others that may be harmed by AI. The report provides concrete recommendations for updating the EU Product Liaiblity Directive and for the possible legal standard and scope of EU liability rules for owners and users of AI.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Liability

JEL Classification: K13, O33

Suggested Citation

Buiten, Miriam and de Streel, Alexandre and Peitz, Martin, EU Liability Rules for the Age of Artificial Intelligence (April 1, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3817520 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3817520

Miriam Buiten (Contact Author)

University of St.Gallen ( email )

St.Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

Alexandre De Streel

University of Namur ( email )

8 rempart de la vierge
Namur, 5000
Belgium

Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) ( email )

Av Louise 475/10
Brussels, 1050
Belgium

Martin Peitz

University of Mannheim - Department of Economics ( email )

D-68131 Mannheim
Germany
+49 621 181-1835 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://peitz.vwl.uni-mannheim.de/

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
656
Abstract Views
1,668
Rank
74,077
PlumX Metrics