Challenges in Realizing Civil Liability in Robotic Technology
This academic study examines the legal and jurisprudential challenges of establishing civil and criminal liability for autonomous robots and artificial intelligence systems. It analyzes various forms of harmful acts, including direct positive harms and omissions related to the duty of care in Iranian law and Islamic jurisprudence. The paper concludes that since robots lack legal personhood, human operators or controllers bear the responsibility for compensating damages.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, legal scholars, and lawmakers studying the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and civil liability.
What the document contains
The document addresses the legal and jurisprudential foundations of civil and criminal liability for AI-enabled robots, examining positive harmful acts, abuse of rights, omissions in duties of care, and the requirements of causation under Islamic jurisprudence and Iranian law.
Specific statutory legislation or binding regulatory enforcement frameworks for AI deployment.
- Autonomous robots and AI systems can act independently, generating novel challenges for criminal and civil liability.
- Because robots lack legal or natural personhood, they cannot independently bear responsibility for damages.
- Human agents controlling or supervising robots are obligated to provide compensation for damages under principles such as the 'respect' theory and tasbib.
- Both positive harmful acts and omissions related to the duty of care can trigger civil liability in robotic technology.
- Establishing a valid causal relationship and customary attribution is essential for determining the liable party when multiple causes contribute to harm.
· 1. Introduction · 2. The Necessity of Accepting Criminal Liability for AI-Enabled Robots - 2.1. Free Will as the Basis of Criminal Liability - 2.2. AI-Enabled Robots as Tools for Crime · 3. Types of Harmful Acts in Robotic Technology - 3.1. Absolute Positive Harmful Acts - 3.2. Harmful Acts Resulting from Abuse of Rights - 3.3. Examination of Omission and Its Role in Generating Civil Liability · 4. Types of Omissions in Robotic Technology - 4.1. Omission Stemming from the Obligation to Care for Objects and Animals - 4.2. Omission Stemming from the Obligation to Care for Individuals · 5. Causation - 5.1. Examining Customary Attribution and Its Relationship to Causation - 5.2. Determining the Liable Cause · 6. Conclusion
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
In such cases, the human agent controlling the robot is obligated to provide compensation under the "respect" theory. This means that, as robots lack legal or natural personhood and cannot independently bear responsibility for damages, the burden falls on humans.
ABSTRACT
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
0/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
3/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
On one hand, it i s imperative to ensure that robots operate safely and remain under human control.
6. Conclusion
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
0/5Protection of personal data and private life
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
0/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
3/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
This underscores the necessity of considering ethical and legal dimensions in the design and use of robots. Furthermore, it highli ghts the need for appropriate legal frameworks to support users and ensure robots are under control.
ABSTRACT
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
0/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
screening score · 2026-10-23