LEGAL ISSUES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

The article provides a discussion of legal regulation of social relations by the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States with regard to AI and other advanced information technologies, identifiable regulatory gaps, conceptual framework, analysis of possible use scenarios and related risks, as well as the range of problems to be addressed by regulation on a priority basis. It contains a brief overview of how AI-related social relations are regulated in the CIS member states. While all these countries admit the importance of such regulation, none has developed a clear understanding of a number of issues, only to stress the relevance of developing a draft model law on AI technologies. The authors demonstrate the following common problems of regulating these relations in the CIS member states: identifying the regulatory scope and the parties concerned and, importantly, addressing the issues of liability including what party (AI technology rights holder, developer, system operator etc.) and in what case will assume a particular type of liability (administrative, civil, financial, criminal). Another important aspect is also discussed — digitization and advanced digital technologies shaping “new” digital personal rights — with an analysis and brief overview being provided. The study purports to identify the trend and opportunities for public regulation of AI and other advanced digital applications. With this in mind, the authors discuss possible regulatory vectors in the given area in light of the risks related to operational specifics of digital technologies, and identify groups of social relations to be adequately addressed by legal regulation. With digitization covering an ever wider range of social relations, the problems to be addressed by law include the protection of personal rights as well as prevention of nondiscrimination of individuals and economic agents. The article employs a number of scientific methods of inquiry, general and special research methods including the formal law method. The general research methods include systemic, dialectic, structural systemic, analytical/synthetic, inductive and deductive methods, abstraction, simulation. The article concludes that, while the CIS countries are at different regulatory stages in the discussed area, there is no comprehensive regulation, with only individual provisions and regulations in place to govern specific aspects of AI use. A model law, once developed, will allow to lay the ground for comprehensive regulation of the discussed relations by the national legislation.

The article explores the impact of AI on legal systems globally. It highlights how technology, particularly AI, disrupts social order and power dynamics, necessitating legal adaptations. The document categorizes global AI regulatory responses into four types: no response, reliance on existing tech regulations, fragmented solutions, and unified approaches. The European Union (EU) has adopted a unified approach with the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), aiming to harmonize AI rules, address risks, and stimulate AI development. The United States employs a piecemeal approach with the National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020 and various state laws and executive orders. Australia lacks specific AI legislation, but it has an AI Action Plan focusing on economic benefits and talent development. South Africa’s National AI Policy Framework emphasizes economic transformation and social equity. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy aims for socio-economic transformation while addressing AI risks. Canada has a Voluntary Code of Conduct and a proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). The document critiques current AI regulations for incomplete definitions and a lack of focus on the broader societal purpose of AI. It stresses the need for regulations to consider ethical dimensions and societal impacts. The document concludes that AI regulation must balance innovation with social order, human dignity, and safety, emphasizing the urgent need to address AI’s energy and water consumption to prevent potential global instability.