The Role of Government in Granting Legal Personality to Non-Human Entities: An Introduction to the Legal Recognition of Artificial Intelligence

Shahbazinia, Morteza; Zolghadr, Mohammad Javad

doi:10.22034/jrpl.2025.720752

The Role of Government in Granting Legal Personality to Non-Human Entities: An Introduction to the Legal Recognition of Artificial Intelligence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Morteza Shahbazinia ¹

Mohammad Javad Zolghadr ²

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² PhD student in private law, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jrpl.2025.720752

Abstract

A major theoretical challenge in recognizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a legal entity is distinguishing it from natural and other legal persons. To address the various legal issues surrounding AI, it is important to explore the concept of granting legal personality to non-human entities and consider the role of the government in this process. This study, using a descriptive-analytical approach and a review of relevant literature, examines the issue and concludes that Iranian law acknowledges the nature of AI. The legal recognition of non-human entities may be achieved through contracts and government approval. In this process, the government can play a crucial role by establishing legal frameworks and utilizing registration mechanisms. However, due to the current lack of specific legal regulations, granting legal personality to AI under Iranian law is not yet feasible.

Keywords

Legal personality of artificial intelligence

granting legal personality to AI

legal personality