Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence

Sharma ; Ambuj
SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies 📅 2026 Vol 3, No 1 🔗 DOI: 10.70063/sociohumania.v3i1.189
Abstract
This study examines the growing debate surrounding the possibility of granting legal personhood to artificial intelligence (AI) systems within contemporary legal frameworks. As AI technologies become increasingly autonomous in decision-making, innovation, and economic interactions, questions arise concerning accountability, liability, and ethical governance. Using a qualitative library research approach, this study analyzes scholarly literature, legal theories, and global regulatory developments related to AI personhood. The discussion explores historical precedents of non-human legal entities, including corporations and natural objects, and compares them with emerging proposals for electronic legal personality. The findings reveal that while functional legal recognition may offer practical solutions for liability and compensation, current AI systems lack consciousness, moral agency, and intentionality required for full legal personhood. Consequently, most jurisdictions prefer human-centered regulatory models emphasizing transparency, oversight, and institutional accountability. The study concludes that extending legal personhood to AI remains premature and that adaptive governance frameworks are more appropriate for managing future AI-related legal challenges
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence; Legal Personhood; AI Governance Liability; Accountability; Ethical Regulation
How to Cite

Sharma & Ambuj (2026). Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence. SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.70063/sociohumania.v3i1.189

Sharma, Ambuj, "Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence," SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026.

Sharma, Ambuj. "Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence." SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026.

Sharma, Ambuj. "Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence." SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies 3, no. 1 (2026).

Sharma & Ambuj (2026) 'Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence', SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies, 3(1). doi: 10.70063/sociohumania.v3i1.189.

Sharma, Ambuj. Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood: Ethical, Regulatory, and Accountability Challenges in Contemporary Jurisprudence. SocioHumania: Journal of Social Humanities Studies. 2026;3(1).

Artikel Terkait

The Changing Landscape of Accounting Profession: Challenges and Future Directions in Nigeria

Kolawole, Falase; Hassan, Sulaiman Taiwo ; Daniel, Joshua Adedapo; Adewale, Oyewole Kazeem

Bridging Faith and Reason: Childhood Character Education Between Islamic Ethics and Humanistic Values

Halilintar, Masnur Putra; Sain , Zohaib Hassan; Lawal, Uthman Shehu; Hina, Shahzadi

Indigenous Knowledge Systems in India: Exploring Legal Pluralism, Constitutional Protection, and Cultural Heritage Preservation Strategies

Kumar, Amit

Digital Democracy in India: E-Governance, Transparency, and the Pursuit of Good Governance

Sharma, Meenu; Sharma, Ananya

India's Civic Deficit: Bridging the Gap Between Civic Sense and Civic Responsibility

Chaudhary , Himanshu; Sharma, Meenu

Strategies for Resolving Social Conflict in the Labor Collective

Shabanov, Zeynaddin; Shafiyev, Uzeyir; Abdullayev, Kamran; Shabanov, Musennif; Aliyev, Faig
Tren Sitasi Jurnal