Reconsidering the Traditional Concept of Legal Personality in Light of Developments in Artificial Intelligence

Authors

    Mansour Amini Associate Professor, Department of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
    Sajjad Kalantarzadeh Sadabad * Ph.D. student, Department of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran S_kalantarzadeh@sbu.ac.ir

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, legal personality, electronic personality, temporary legal personality, limited legal

Abstract

The legal status of artificial intelligence remains uncertain, and one of the principal issues surrounding AI concerns whether it can possess legal personality. This question is becoming increasingly significant with the passage of time and the rapid advancement of this technology. Given the continuing development of digital technologies and the increasing autonomy of artificial intelligence systems, autonomous AI may, in the distant future, acquire independent rights and obligations and function as a legal actor alongside natural and legal persons. Certain normative and practical considerations determine how an artificial “other” should be treated as a potential rights-holder. The attribution of legal personality to artificial intelligence remains highly controversial among legal scholars; some support the recognition of AI as a legal person, whereas others oppose it. In any event, the recognition of legal personality for AI requires specific conditions, and not every form of artificial intelligence can acquire legal personality under all circumstances. Legal systems have proposed various approaches to addressing this issue, including the creation of electronic legal personality and the granting of temporary legal personality. This study proposes the recognition of limited legal personality for artificial intelligence.

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Published

2027-07-01

Submitted

2026-04-14

Revised

2026-07-18

Accepted

2026-07-26

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Amini , M., & Kalantarzadeh Sadabad, S. (2027). Reconsidering the Traditional Concept of Legal Personality in Light of Developments in Artificial Intelligence. Legal Studies in Digital Age, 1-14. https://jlsda.com/index.php/lsda/article/view/456

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