6 - Punishing Artificial Intelligence

Summary

Criminal law falls short in cases where an AI functionally commits a crime and there are no individuals who are criminally liable. This chapter explores potential solutions to this problem, with a focus on holding AI directly criminally liable where it is acting autonomously and irreducibly. Conventional wisdom holds that punishing AI is incongruous with basic criminal law principles such as the capacity for culpability and the requirement for a voluntary act. Drawing on analogies to corporate and strict criminal liability, the chapter shows AI punishment cannot be categorically ruled out with quick theoretical arguments. AI punishment could result in general deterrence and expressive benefits, and it need not run afoul of negative limitations such as punishing in excess of culpability. Ultimately, however, punishing AI is not justified, because it might entail significant costs and would certainly require radical legal changes. Modest changes to existing criminal laws that target persons, together with potentially expanded civil liability, is a better solution to AI crime.