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Autonoma fordon och PAL – En analys av biltillverkarens ansvar för skador orsakade av artificiell intelligens

Sahin, Mellin LU (2022) JURM02 20222
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
The development of artificial intelligence has been described as the fourth in-dustrial revolution. However, technological developments may result in com-plex questions with regard to the issue of liability. The aim of this thesis is to analyze whether a vehicle manufacturer can be held liable for damages caused by the artificial intelligence according to the Product Liability Act (PAL). The legal subjects are strict liable according to PAL. For the law to be applicable, a primary prerequisite is that a product exists. The first question has thus focused on whether artificial intelligence can be encompassed by the definition of a product. Subsequently, an analysis has been carried out to establish the conditions in order for a defective... (More)
The development of artificial intelligence has been described as the fourth in-dustrial revolution. However, technological developments may result in com-plex questions with regard to the issue of liability. The aim of this thesis is to analyze whether a vehicle manufacturer can be held liable for damages caused by the artificial intelligence according to the Product Liability Act (PAL). The legal subjects are strict liable according to PAL. For the law to be applicable, a primary prerequisite is that a product exists. The first question has thus focused on whether artificial intelligence can be encompassed by the definition of a product. Subsequently, an analysis has been carried out to establish the conditions in order for a defective product to be considered. The third question aims to investigate the meaning of “development damage” (utvecklingsskada), which exempts a manufacturer from liability.

The thesis illustrates that the artificial intelligence incorporated in a vehicle together can constitute a product according to PAL, as the intelligence is a necessary prerequisite for the function of the final product. Furthermore, a defect in the product can also be considered in the event of no intervention from the product. Claims in the marketing about fully self-driving properties are factors that are taken into account in the assessment of whether a defective product may exist. Unilateral disclaimers in the marketing that are not focused on specific risks with the product have been considered invalid according to the preparatory works. Nevertheless, a court decision from the European Court of Justice is examined to illustrate what is required for a manufacturer to be exempted from liability according to developmental damages. The question of how development damages should be applied in technical context has not been discussed.

The European Commission has presented a proposal for the new Product Lia-bility Directive. In the directive it is proposed that the manufacturer of digital components (including AI-systems) should be jointly and severally liable with and the manufacturer of the final product. Current legislation only holds the final manufacturer liable. In addition, there is only one legal entity which the consumer can claim indemnity from. This thesis thereby highlights that the proposal constitutes a desirable tool for the purpose of solving the issues identified in current PAL. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Utvecklingen av den artificiella intelligensen anses utgöra den fjärde industri-ella revolutionen. Den tekniska utvecklingen har emellertid givit upphov till ett antal komplexa frågor vad avser frågan om ansvar. Uppsatsen har som syfte att utreda om en biltillverkare kan hållas ansvarig enligt PAL för skador orsa-kade av den artificiella intelligensen i en autonom bil. Det råder strikt ansvar i PAL. För att omfattas av lagens tillämpningsområde är en primär förutsättning att en produkt föreligger. Den första frågeställningen i uppsatsen har således inriktats på om intelligensen kan omfattas av begreppet produkt. Därefter har bedömningsutgångspunkterna för när en säkerhetsbrist består enligt PAL un-dersökts. Den tredje frågan, som... (More)
Utvecklingen av den artificiella intelligensen anses utgöra den fjärde industri-ella revolutionen. Den tekniska utvecklingen har emellertid givit upphov till ett antal komplexa frågor vad avser frågan om ansvar. Uppsatsen har som syfte att utreda om en biltillverkare kan hållas ansvarig enligt PAL för skador orsa-kade av den artificiella intelligensen i en autonom bil. Det råder strikt ansvar i PAL. För att omfattas av lagens tillämpningsområde är en primär förutsättning att en produkt föreligger. Den första frågeställningen i uppsatsen har således inriktats på om intelligensen kan omfattas av begreppet produkt. Därefter har bedömningsutgångspunkterna för när en säkerhetsbrist består enligt PAL un-dersökts. Den tredje frågan, som behandlas, tar sikte på att utreda innebörden av undantaget om utvecklingsskador.

Uppsatsen leder fram till slutsatsen att den artificiella intelligensen tillsammans med en bil kan utgöra en produkt i PAL:s mening eftersom intelligensen utgör en nödvändig förutsättning för slutproduktens funktion. Vidare kan en säker-hetsbrist föreligga även vid uteblivna effekter av en produkt. Utfästelser i marknadsföringen om totalt självkörande egenskaper utgör faktorer som beaktas i bedömningen av om säkerhetsbrist kan bestå. Ensidiga friskrivningar i marknadsföringen som inte är inriktade på specifika risker med produkten har ansetts vara ogiltiga enligt förarbetena. Vidare används ett avgörande från EU-domstolen för att illustrera vad som krävs för att en tillverkare ska kunna undgå produktansvar med hänvisning till utvecklingsfel. Frågan om hur ut-vecklingsfel ska tillämpas i tekniska sammanhang har det emellertid inte förts några diskussioner om.

EU-kommissionen har presenterat ett förslag till nytt produktansvarsdirektiv. I direktivet föreslås att ett solidariskt ansvar ska föreligga mellan en tillverkare av en digital komponent (inbegripet AI-system) samt tillverkaren av slutpro-dukten. Gällande PAL håller endast sluttillverkaren ansvarig. Därtill har konsumenter nuvarande enbart ett rättssubjekt att kunna kräva skadestånd från. De slutsatser som dras i uppsatsen visar att förslaget utgör ett önskvärt redskap i syfte att komma till rätta med de gråzoner som identifierats i nuvarande PAL. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sahin, Mellin LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Autonomous and PAL – An analysis of a car manufacturer’s liability for damages caused by artificial intelligence
course
JURM02 20222
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Skadeståndsrätt, förmögenhetsrätt, produktansvar, artificiell intelligens
language
Swedish
id
9105322
date added to LUP
2023-01-24 09:02:08
date last changed
2023-01-24 09:02:08
@misc{9105322,
  abstract     = {{The development of artificial intelligence has been described as the fourth in-dustrial revolution. However, technological developments may result in com-plex questions with regard to the issue of liability. The aim of this thesis is to analyze whether a vehicle manufacturer can be held liable for damages caused by the artificial intelligence according to the Product Liability Act (PAL). The legal subjects are strict liable according to PAL. For the law to be applicable, a primary prerequisite is that a product exists. The first question has thus focused on whether artificial intelligence can be encompassed by the definition of a product. Subsequently, an analysis has been carried out to establish the conditions in order for a defective product to be considered. The third question aims to investigate the meaning of “development damage” (utvecklingsskada), which exempts a manufacturer from liability.

The thesis illustrates that the artificial intelligence incorporated in a vehicle together can constitute a product according to PAL, as the intelligence is a necessary prerequisite for the function of the final product. Furthermore, a defect in the product can also be considered in the event of no intervention from the product. Claims in the marketing about fully self-driving properties are factors that are taken into account in the assessment of whether a defective product may exist. Unilateral disclaimers in the marketing that are not focused on specific risks with the product have been considered invalid according to the preparatory works. Nevertheless, a court decision from the European Court of Justice is examined to illustrate what is required for a manufacturer to be exempted from liability according to developmental damages. The question of how development damages should be applied in technical context has not been discussed.

The European Commission has presented a proposal for the new Product Lia-bility Directive. In the directive it is proposed that the manufacturer of digital components (including AI-systems) should be jointly and severally liable with and the manufacturer of the final product. Current legislation only holds the final manufacturer liable. In addition, there is only one legal entity which the consumer can claim indemnity from. This thesis thereby highlights that the proposal constitutes a desirable tool for the purpose of solving the issues identified in current PAL.}},
  author       = {{Sahin, Mellin}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Autonoma fordon och PAL – En analys av biltillverkarens ansvar för skador orsakade av artificiell intelligens}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}