
Autonomous Organizations
Shawn Bayern(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 14. October 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
196 pages
978-1-108-81385-3 (ISBN)
Description
Under current business law, it is already possible to give legal personhood, or a very close surrogate of it, to software systems of any kind (from a simple automated escrow agent to a more hypothetical, truly smart artificial intelligence). This means that, for example, robots could enter into contracts, serve as legal agents, or own property. Ultimately, entire companies could actually be run by non-human agents. This study argues that this is not as scary as it might sound at first. Legal theorist and noted software developer Shawn Bayern argues that autonomous or zero-person organizations offer an opportunity for useful new types of interactions between software and the law. This creative contribution to the theory and practice of law and technology explores the social and political aspects of these new organizational structures and their implications for legal theory.
Reviews / Votes
'Autonomous Organizations is a testimony to the versatility and innovation of private law. A true masterpiece, pragmatic and down-to-earth in style, it firmly installs Shawn Bayern at the forefront of twenty-first century legal thinking. A must read not just for corporate lawyers, but for anyone interested in modern legal practice.' Thomas Burri, Professor of International Law and European Law, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland 'Shawn Bayern's Autonomous Organizations, focuses on explaining how current law actually applies to systems that are becoming more and more autonomous and artificially intelligent. In the book, he provides a rich, thoughtful, and careful analysis of the topic; thus, the book is highly relevant to practitioners and academics. I highly recommend the book.' Woodrow Barfield, Professor, Engineering and LawMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
293 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-81385-3 (9781108813853)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Shawn Bayern
Autonomous Organizations
Book
10/2021
Cambridge University Press
€81.70
Shipment within 15-20 days

Shawn Bayern
Autonomous Organizations
E-Book
09/2021
Cambridge University Press
€20.99
Available for download
Person
Shawn Bayern is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Larry & Joyce Beltz Professor of Torts at Florida State University College of Law. He has a deep background in computer science, with specialties in computer security and the development of programming languages.
Content
1. Why Autonomous Organizations? 2. The Legal Role of Algorithms; 3. In the Company of Robots: The Creation of Autonomous Organizations; 4. The Legal Viability of Autonomous Organizations; 5. The Advantages of Autonomous Organizations; 6. The Limitations and Legal Implications of Autonomous Organizations; Conclusion.