Record STMT-W5FACAAAspirational

The Problem of Establishing Civil Liability for Harmful Effects of Smart Robots

Report State lawMiddle East · JOin force

This academic research study investigates the problem of establishing civil liability for harmful effects caused by smart robots, focusing on the legal nature of autonomous systems within Jordanian and French legislation. The authors analyze whether smart robots can be classified as objects requiring custody or as defective products under current consumer protection and civil liability frameworks. The paper concludes that existing legal systems are inadequate for addressing the autonomous and unpredictable nature of smart robots, highlighting the need to develop modern legislation and specialized insurance or liability models.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Al-Ahliyyah Amman UniversityAcademic · JO

Lead issuer

The University of JordanAcademic · JO

Co-issuer

The Research PublicationOther · IN

Publisher

Legal forceAspirational

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Researchers and academicsLegislatorsRegulators

Researchers, legal scholars, and legislators seeking an analytical assessment of civil liability frameworks for smart robots.

Sectors

Cross-sector · smart robots and artificial intelligence applications

What the document contains

What's covered

The document addresses the legal classification of smart robots under civil law, evaluating whether they can be governed by rules concerning the custody of objects or liability for defective products. It reviews Jordanian and French legislation to analyze how tort law applies to damages caused by autonomous robotic systems.

What's missing

The text does not provide an adopted statutory text or enforceable code of conduct, serving instead as an academic analysis and proposal for future legal reform.

Key takeaways

Smart robots present unique legal challenges because their autonomy and decision-making capabilities transcend traditional classifications of physical objects.
Applying existing civil liability rules for the custody of objects is difficult due to problems in establishing actual human control and identifying a clear guardian.
While smart robots share some characteristics with defective products under consumer protection laws, their autonomous behavior often stems from internal decision-making rather than manufacturing defects.
Current Jordanian and French legislative frameworks lack specific provisions to comprehensively regulate civil liability for damages caused by smart robots.
The authors recommend enacting specialized legislation, establishing mandatory registration, creating dedicated insurance systems, and exploring legal personhood for autonomous robots.

Outline

· I. INTRODUCTION
 - 1.1 Study Topic
 - 1.2 Importance of the Study
 - 1.3 Research Problem
 - 1.4 Study Methodology
· II. APPLICATION OF THE RULES OF OBJECT LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY A SMART ROBOT
 - 2.1 The Possibility of Applying the Concept of a Thing to a Smart Robot
 - 2.2 Legal Basis for the Liability of the Custodian of Objects for Damage Caused by a Smart Robot
 - 2.3 Compatibility and Conflict of Responsibility for Guardianship of Objects with Intelligent Robots
· III. APPLICATION OF THE RULES OF LIABILITY FOR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF SMART ROBOTS
 - 3.1 Intelligent Robots and Product Concept
 - 3.2 Basis of Liability for Defective Products Due to Damage Caused by Smart Robots
 - 3.3 The Compatibility and Conflict of Liability for Defective Products Due to Damage Caused by Smart Robots
· IV. THE RESULTS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
 - 4.1 Results
 - 4.2 Conclusions
 - 4.3 Recommendations

Issued15 December 2025

Length8,329 words · 9 pages

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

2/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

the second depends directly on the supervision or guidance of its operator to perform its tasks.

1.1 Study Topic

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

0/5

Protection of personal data and private life

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

1/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

The study seeks to analyze the possibility of applying the rules of civil liability for objects or civil liability for defective products to smart robots.

Abstract

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

3/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

Issuing legislation regulating the legal provisions pertaining to smart robots, obligating all users of smart robots to register them with the relevant authorities so that those involved in the field of smart robotics can be identified

4.3 Recommendations

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

1/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

The study also examines the legal basis for the liability of the guardian of objects for damage caused by smart robots

Abstract

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

Physical AI Governancecore

civil_liability smart_robots product_liability custody_of_objects autonomous_systems