strict liability

            On April 28, 2022, Covington convened experts across our practice groups for the Covington Robotics Forum, which explored recent developments and forecasts relevant to industries affected by robotics.  One segment of the Robotics Forum covered risks of automation and AI, highlights of which are captured here.  A full recording of the Robotics Forum is available

Algorithms define online shopping, allowing for individualized product recommendations driven by customer data. To date, this technology has spurred little litigation. Few if any courts have explicitly ruled on responsibilities related to AI-driven product recommendation software.

Still, developers should be aware of potential legal risks from this novel technology. For example: What happens if AI recommends a product to a shopper and the product injures the shopper because of a defect? Can the shopper bring a product liability claim — such as for strict liability or negligence — against the algorithm’s developer? Although there is limited precedent on this issue, the risk appears limited.
Continue Reading Covington AI/IoT Update: Product Liability Risks for AI-Facilitated Shopping