Navigating the AI Frontier: Legal, Ethical, and Societal Considerations for Artificial Personhood

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping innovation and operational efficiency across industries. As autonomous AI systems are becoming prevalent, they significantly influence traditional business models, societal norms, and legal frameworks. AI technologies are evolving beyond mere tools to become independent economic agents capable of generating assets, making decisions, commercializing products and services, and being accountable for their actions. This evolution requires a reassessment of traditional concepts of corporate and moral personhood, particularly as AI-driven businesses need to operate inside conventional legal frameworks. This paper explores the rise of entirely AI-driven entities with fully autonomous decision-making processes, advocating for the legal status of artificial personhood. It underscores the need for an ethical and regulatory framework to ensure these entities will proliferate and operate for human progress with integrity and responsibility.