Criminal liability of artificial robots

Authors

Abdullah Theeb Mahmmoud, Ribhi Wajeeh Dola, Iyad Abdel Latif Mohamad, Mahmoud Saed Alsadi

 

Abstract

This study addresses the criminal liability of artificial robots by analyzing the nature and elements of this liability in light of the absence of a clear and organized legal framework that defines the criminal liability of artificial robots. It is noted that the rapid development of technology and the lack of legislation raise many questions about how artificial robots can bear liability for acts that may be committed by their software or autonomous actions. It also clarifies whether they can be considered a legal entity that enables them to bear criminal liability, or whether the individuals who use or design them can be held liable. Accordingly, the main question of the study revolves around the following: What is the criminal liability of artificial robots? The researchers followed a descriptive, analytical, and comparative approach. The study concluded that international and national legislation has not yet addressed the provisions of artificial robots. Therefore, they cannot be considered a legal entity or possess a legal personality, and therefore cannot be held criminally accountable. Rather, the programmer and user are held accountable for the actions to which they contributed. This necessitates a clear and explicit definition of the criminal liability of artificial robots, in analogy to the criminal liability of legal persons. The study also concluded that a crime can only be committed by a human, and that its commission by an artificial robot means granting it the status of a tool of the crime rather than the original perpetrator. Thus, the artificial robot is not criminally liable in the traditional sense, but rather the responsibility falls on the programmer or user. The study also concluded the need to develop local and international legal legislation capable of covering all crimes committed and expected by artificial robots. This legislation ensures that artificial robots are recognized as legal persons, enabling them to bear legal liability (criminal and civil), in analogy to the criminal liability of legal persons.

DOI: 10.51958/AAUJBL2026V10I2P1