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Artificial intelligence: more personality needed?

06 August 2025
Issue: 8128 / Categories: Legal News , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Legal services
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The Law Commission, which advises the government on reform, has floated the idea of giving artificial intelligence (AI) systems legal personality

The commissioners stop short of making any specific proposals for reform in their discussion paper, ‘Artificial intelligence and the law’, published last week. However, they note that ‘many of the legal issues raised by AI arise, partly, because AI does not have legal personality’. They conclude by considering ‘a potentially radical option for AI law reform: granting some form of legal personality to AI systems’. The commissioners highlight that, while AI is not yet advanced enough to warrant this option, it may become so ‘in the near future’.

Their paper raises a host of other AI conundrums for discussion: for example, the difficulty of establishing causation and criminal liability, and the impact on public accountability when AI is involved in local authority decision-making.

Chair of the Law Commission, Sir Peter Fraser said: ‘With AI’s potential benefits comes potential harm.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

North west team expands with senior private client and property hires

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Firm boosts corporate team in Newcastle to support high-growth technology businesses

NEWS

NOTICE UNDER THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

HERBERT SMITH STAFF PENSION SCHEME (THE “SCHEME”)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
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