ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE FUTURE OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY: A COMPARATIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, criminal liability, mens rea, actus reus, comparative law, AI legislation, autonomous systems, EU AI Act, responsibility gap, digital criminal lawAbstract
This article examines the criminal liability challenges arising from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. It analyses the theoretical foundations of liability attribution for offences committed by or through AI systems, with particular focus on the application of the mens rea and actus reus doctrines in the AI context. A comparative analysis is conducted across the legal systems of the United States, the European Union, China, Germany, and other leading jurisdictions. The article also addresses contemporary issues including deepfake fraud, lethal autonomous weapon systems, and AI-driven financial crime. The study concludes that existing legislative frameworks are inadequate and argues for targeted legal reforms, including dedicated AI criminal liability norms, strict liability standards, and enhanced international cooperation.
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