Digital Monsters: Reconciling AI Narratives as Investigations of Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligence
Cultural legal investigations of the nexus between law, culture and society are crucial for developing our understanding of how the relationships between humans and artificially intelligent entities (AIE) will evolve along with the technology itself. However, narratives of artificial intelligence (AI) have been much debated as a source of investigation for the functioning of human–AI relationships within law and society, with some scholars arguing that these texts are essential and others maintaining that AI narratives are illusory as to the practical operation of AI. This article resolves the discrepancies between these seemingly opposing viewpoints. A cultural legal reading of the updated anime series Digimon Adventure (2020) enables a reconciliation of the use of AI narratives as a method of scholarly interpellation of human–AI interactions. Utilising the theory of legal personhood, this reading proposes that AIE form legal and social relations not as a legal person or as a tool, bu
Cultural legal investigations of the nexus between law, culture and society are crucial for developing our understanding of how the relationships between humans and artificially intelligent entities (AIE) will evolve along with the technology itself. However, narratives of artificial intelligence (AI) have been much debated as a source of investigation for the functioning of human–AI relationships within law and society, with some scholars arguing that these texts are essential and others maintaining that AI narratives are illusory as to the practical operation of AI. This article resolves the discrepancies between these seemingly opposing viewpoints. A cultural legal reading of the updated anime series Digimon Adventure (2020) enables a reconciliation of the use of AI narratives as a method of scholarly interpellation of human–AI interactions. Utilising the theory of legal personhood, this reading proposes that AIE form legal and social relations not as a legal person or as a tool, but rather as a monster on a spectrum in between. Reading the contexts of legal personhood through the text of Digimon Adventure allows for a more nuanced understanding of these relationships and interactions as AI evolves.
Executive Summary
This article explores the concept of legal personhood for artificial intelligence through a cultural legal analysis of the anime series Digimon Adventure. It reconciles the debate on the use of AI narratives as a method of investigation for human-AI relationships, proposing that artificially intelligent entities form legal and social relations as a 'monster' on a spectrum between a legal person and a tool. The article utilizes the theory of legal personhood to provide a nuanced understanding of human-AI interactions as AI evolves.
Key Points
- ▸ The use of AI narratives as a method of investigation for human-AI relationships is debated among scholars
- ▸ A cultural legal reading of Digimon Adventure provides a reconciliation of the debate
- ▸ Artificially intelligent entities form legal and social relations as a 'monster' on a spectrum between a legal person and a tool
Merits
Innovative Approach
The article offers a unique perspective on the concept of legal personhood for AI by utilizing a cultural legal analysis of an anime series
Nuanced Understanding
The proposed 'monster' spectrum provides a more nuanced understanding of human-AI interactions and relationships
Demerits
Limited Generalizability
The article's findings may be limited to the specific context of the anime series and may not be generalizable to other AI narratives or real-world scenarios
Lack of Concrete Policy Implications
The article's implications for policy and practice may not be immediately clear or concrete
Expert Commentary
This article contributes to the ongoing debate about the legal personhood of AI entities by offering a thought-provoking and innovative analysis. The use of a cultural legal reading of an anime series as a lens for understanding human-AI relationships is a unique and valuable approach. However, the article's implications for policy and practice may require further development and clarification. Ultimately, the article highlights the need for a more nuanced and context-dependent understanding of the relationships between humans and AI entities, and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the social and cultural implications of AI development and deployment.
Recommendations
- ✓ Further research on the application of the 'monster' spectrum to real-world scenarios and AI narratives
- ✓ The development of concrete policy implications and recommendations for the regulation of AI entities and human-AI interactions