Objective:
This research aims to examine the feasibility of granting legal personality to artificial intelligence systems within the framework of Imami jurisprudence and Iranian law, and to analyze the issue in light of recent legal developments in the European Union, particularly the 2024 AI Act. It also seeks to clarify the scope and conditions under which such recognition may be accepted based on jurisprudential and legal foundations.
Method:
The study adopts an analytical comparative approach and examines the subject at three levels: first, the jurisprudential feasibility of aligning the granting of legal personality to AI with the principles of Imami jurisprudence; second, the capacity of existing legal structures in Iran to accommodate such an entity; and third, a comparative review of the European Union experience under the 2024 AI Act. Conceptual analysis and comparison of legal structures are used to develop a localized framework.
Results:
The findings indicate that granting limited capacity to enjoy rights to AI for specific commercial purposes is not prohibited in Imami jurisprudence and can be justified through principles such as the no harm rule, the expediency principle, and the family endowment model. However
Conclusion:
Based on these findings, the article proposes a localized three layer model that distinguishes between the capacity to enjoy rights and the capacity to act, thereby enabling an operational framework for determining the legal status of AI in the Iranian legal system. The main contribution of the study is this localized model, which translates jurisprudential distinctions into a practical and enforceable framework. The proposed model may also serve as a foundation for future policy making and legislation on AI regulation in Iran.