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AI agents aren’t legally responsible for any harm that they cause, experts say. So who is?
The Guardian UK
Wednesday 12 August 2026, 15:00 UTC
By Tory Shepherd
1 min read
Key Points
Following Australia’s first reported automated hacking accident, experts warn deployers – and possibly developers – of AI agents could be held liable for the actions of their botsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe law is clear, says Prof Jeannie Paterson. “If I deploy an AI agent and it causes harm to someone else, I am responsible for that harm. “Even if I didn’t intend for that to happen, it was foreseeable, and I should be taking responsibility.”
Following Australia’s first reported automated hacking accident, experts warn deployers – and possibly developers – of AI agents could be held liable for the actions of their bots
The law is clear, says Prof Jeannie Paterson. “If I deploy an AI agent and it causes harm to someone else, I am responsible for that harm.
“Even if I didn’t intend for that to happen, it was foreseeable, and I should be taking responsibility.”
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Originally published by The Guardian UK
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