MODELS OF CIVIL LIABILITY FOR THE UNLAWFUL USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE ECONOMY

The rapid development and widespread deployment of artificial intelligence outpace existing legislation and give rise to new legal challenges. This results in regulatory gaps across various sectors, including healthcare, transport, intellectual property, etc. In particular, uncertainty persists regarding the grounds for and subjects of civil liability for harm caused by the unlawful use of AI in the economic sphere. The objective of this study is to analyze possible models of civil liability for the use of AI in the economy. The research methodology included desk-based analysis of Russian and other legal sources, theoretical synthesis of the results, and an expert survey involving 41 specialists. Thus, a classification of civil liability models for the use of AI in the economy is proposed with due regard to the autonomy of AI systems and the fundamental principles of liability. Three core models are identified: the fault-based model, which treats AI as a tool; the risk-based model, which applies a liability regime for hazardous products; and the vicarious liability model, which attributes responsibility to the AI owner for the actions of an autonomous system. Expert assessment indicates that models grounded in the principle of risk and the vicarious liability model are the most preferable. It is also established that the main subject of liability is the person who commits unlawful acts using AI and gets benefit from them. Where many persons are involved, liability is joint and several, which necessitates the further improvement of legislation.