Autonomous systems: how should contract law treat such autonomy?

Autonomous systems based on artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly used in automated contracting. Unlike traditional computer programs, autonomous systems are capable of independently formulating and executing contractual decisions based on environmental inputs, without direct human intervention. Their growing use raises important questions regarding the adaptability of existing contract law. This paper examines three key challenges frequently associated with autonomous systems in contracting: their legal status, the validity of AI-formed contracts, and the treatment of unexpected outputs. The analysis demonstrates that none of these challenges necessitates a special legal regime. Existing contract law principles and doctrines are sufficiently flexible to accommodate the involvement of autonomous systems in contracting.