DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.54.1.2025.1-12

REASSESSING LEGAL RECOGNITION OF AI: HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF AI AS A LEGAL SUBJECT IN INDONESIA

*Hari Sutra Disemadi  -  Faculty of Law, Universitas Internasional Batam, Indonesia
Lu Sudirman  -  Faculty of Law, Universitas Internasional Batam, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 Masalah-Masalah Hukum under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0.

Citation Format:
Abstract

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) presents complex challenges in legal theory, particularly regarding the question of AI as a legal subject. As AI becomes increasingly capable of creative work and decision-making, the question arises whether it should be recognized legally as an entity in its own right. This study explores the legal implications of recognizing AI as a legal subject through the lens of Immanuel Kant's philosophy, particularly focusing on human dignity. Kant argues that human dignity is intrinsic, grounded in the capacity for rational thought and moral responsibility, a characteristic AI lacks. Thus, recognizing AI as a legal subject risks undermining human dignity by equating human beings with entities that do not possess autonomy or ethical awareness. The study examines the current legal framework in Indonesia, highlighting the lack of clear regulation for AI, and explores the philosophical, ethical, and practical considerations involved in the legal treatment of AI. It argues that AI should be treated as a tool, not a legal subject, ensuring that human dignity remains the cornerstone of the legal system. The paper concludes by advocating for a fragmented, sector-specific approach to AI regulation in Indonesia, ensuring more focused oversight while protecting human dignity.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Human Dignity; Legal Recognition; Kantian Philosophy; AI Regulation in Indonesia

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Articles
Language : EN
Recent articles
REFORMING INDONESIA'S AGRICULTURAL LEGAL SYSTEM: EMPOWERING FAMILY-BASED FARMERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY INTEGRATION REASSESSING LEGAL RECOGNITION OF AI: HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF AI AS A LEGAL SUBJECT IN INDONESIA EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF INDONESIA’S ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY: ALIGNING WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES More recent articles
Most cited articles
FAKTOR KRIMINOGEN ILLEGAL MINING TIMAH DI BANGKA BELITUNG PERKEMBANGAN PEMILIHAN PRESIDEN DAN WAKIL PRESIDEN DI INDONESIA FORMULASI MODEL PENGELOLAAN HAK ULAYAT LAUT DI PROVINSI MALUKU UPAYA PERLINDUNGAN HAK ASASI MANUSIA DALAM PEMBINAAN NARAPIDANA ANAK (STUDI DI LEMBAGA PEMASYARAKATAN KLAS II B ANAK PONTIANAK) PRISMATIKA HUKUM SEBAGAI DASAR PEMBANGUNAN HUKUM DI INDONESIA BERDASARKAN PANCASILA (Kajian terhadap Hukum Kekayaan Intelektual) More cited articles
  1. Akpobome, O. (2024). The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Legal Frameworks: A Model for Adaptive Regulation. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(10), 5046–5060. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.1024.3012
  2. Amboro, F. Y. P., & Komarhana, K. (2021). Prospek Kecerdasan Buatan sebagai Subjek Hukum Perdata di Indonesia [Prospects of Artificial Intelligence As a Subject of Civil Law in Indonesia]. Law Review, 21(2), 145–172. https://doi.org/10.19166/lr.v0i2.3513
  3. Binawan, A. A. L. (2022). Empat Problematik Filosofis Hukum dalam Dinamika Hubungan Keadilan dan Kepastian. Masalah-Masalah Hukum, 51(3), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.51.3.2022.314-324
  4. Biswas Mellamphy, N., & Vangeest, J. (2024). Human, all too human? Anthropocene narratives, posthumanisms, and the problem of “post-anthropocentrism.” The Anthropocene Review, 11(3), 599–613. https://doi.org/10.1177/20530196241237249
  5. Caldwell, M. (2023). What Is an “Author”?-Copyright Authorship of AI Art Through a Philosophical Lens. Houston Law Review, 61(2), 411–442
  6. Caranti, L. (2018). Replies: Autonomy and human dignity. A reassessment of kant’s political legacy. Human rights, peace, progress. Filozofija i Drustvo, 29(4), 598–612. https://doi.org/10.2298/FID1804598C
  7. Carlsmith, J. (2023). Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power? ArXiv Computers and Society, 1–127. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2311.08379
  8. Disemadi, H. S. (2022). Lenses of Legal Research: A Descriptive Essay on Legal Research Methodologies. Journal of Judicial Review, 24(2), 289–304. https://doi.org/10.37253/jjr.v24i2.7280
  9. Doomen, J. (2023). The artificial intelligence entity as a legal person. Information & Communications Technology Law, 32(3), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600834.2023.2196827
  10. Evstratov, A. E., & Guchenkov, I. Y. (2020). The limitations of artificial intelligence (legal problems). Law Enforcement Review, 4(2), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.24147/2542-1514.2020.4(2).13-19
  11. Ezenkwu, C. P., & Starkey, A. (2019). Machine Autonomy: Definition, Approaches, Challenges and Research Gaps. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 997, 335–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22871-2_24
  12. Farisco, M., Evers, K., & Changeux, J.-P. (2024). Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain. Neural Networks, 180, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neunet.2024.106714
  13. Fasoro, S. A. (2019). Kant on Human Dignity: Autonomy, Humanity, and Human Rights. Kantian Journal, 38(1), 81–98. https://doi.org/10.5922/0207-6918-2019-1-4
  14. Fatmawati, R., & Mangar, I. (2024). Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Legal Subject on Intellectual Property Rights. Journal of Development Research, 8(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.28926/jdr.v8i1.361
  15. Febriyani, E., Syarief, E., & Seroja, T. D. (2024). Pemanfaatan Artificial Intelligence dalam Deteksi dan Pencegahan Tindak Pidana Pencucian Uang: Potensi dan Tantangan Hukum? Jurnal Magister Hukum Udayana (Udayana Master Law Journal), 13(4), 877–898. https://doi.org/10.24843/JMHU.2024.v13.i04.p10
  16. Gaffar, H. (2024). Implications of Digitalization and AI in the Justice System: A Glance at the Socio-legal Angle. Law and World, 10(3), 154–177. https://doi.org/10.36475/10.3.14
  17. Gefen, D., & Arinze, O. (Bay). (2023). ChatGPT and usurping academic authority. Journal of Information Technology Case and Application Research, 25(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228053.2023.2186629
  18. Gil de Zúñiga, H., Goyanes, M., & Durotoye, T. (2024). A Scholarly Definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Advancing AI as a Conceptual Framework in Communication Research. Political Communication, 41(2), 317–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2023.2290497
  19. Gonçalves, A. R., Pinto, D. C., Shuqair, S., Dalmoro, M., & Mattila, A. S. (2024). Artificial intelligence vs. autonomous decision-making in streaming platforms: A mixed-method approach. International Journal of Information Management, 76, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102748
  20. Grewal, D., Guha, A., & Becker, M. (2024). AI is Changing the World: For Better or for Worse? Journal of Macromarketing, 44(4), 870–882. https://doi.org/10.1177/02761467241254450
  21. Haq, S. Al, & Yunanto, Y. (2024). Legal Implications of Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Electronic Transactions. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 7(05), 3365–3371. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i05-108
  22. Holzinger, A., Fister, I., Fister, I., Kaul, H.-P., & Asseng, S. (2024). Human-Centered AI in Smart Farming: Toward Agriculture 5.0. IEEE Access, 12, 62199–62214. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3395532
  23. Kalmenovitz, J., Lowry, M. B., & Volkova, E. (2022). The Government Agenda and the Effects of Regulatory Dispersion. The Journal of Finance, Forthcomin, 1–60. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3802888
  24. Killmister, S. (2017). Dignity: personal, social, human. Philosophical Studies, 174(8), 2063–2082. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-016-0788-y
  25. Kumar, A. (2021). Kant on the Ground of Human Dignity. Kantian Review, 26(3), 435–453. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1369415420000588
  26. Labadze, L., Grigolia, M., & Machaidze, L. (2023). Role of AI chatbots in education: systematic literature review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00426-1
  27. List, C. (2021). Group Agency and Artificial Intelligence. Philosophy and Technology, 34(4), 1213–1242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-021-00454-7
  28. Liu, L., Ouyang, W., Wang, X., Fieguth, P., Chen, J., Liu, X., & Pietikäinen, M. (2020). Deep Learning for Generic Object Detection: A Survey. International Journal of Computer Vision, 128(2), 261–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11263-019-01247-4
  29. Marwan, A. (2023). Apakah Sarjana Hukum Bisa Digantikan Dengan Teknologi Kecerdasan Artifisial? AL WASATH Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 4(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.47776/alwasath.v4i1.654
  30. Nagy, N. (2024). “Humanity’s new frontier”: Human rights implications of artificial intelligence and new technologies. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies, 64(2), 236–267. https://doi.org/10.1556/2052.2023.00481
  31. Ngo, R., Chan, L., & Mindermann, S. (2024). The Alignment Problem from a Deep Learning Perspective. The Twelfth International Conference on Learning Representations, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2209.00626
  32. Niemi, H. M. (2021). The Use of Human Dignity in Legal Argumentation: An Analysis of the Case Law of the Supreme Courts of Finland. Nordic Journal of Human Rights, 39(3), 280–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/18918131.2021.1999576
  33. Nisa, A. K. (2024). The Prospect of AI Law in Indonesian Legal System: Present and Future Challenges. The Indonesian Journal of International Clinical Legal Education, 6(1), 25–48
  34. Nurhayati, Y., Ifrani, I., & Said, M. Y. (2021). Metodologi Normatif dan Empiris dalam Perspektif Ilmu Hukum. Jurnal Penegakan Hukum Indonesia, 2(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.51749/jphi.v2i1.14
  35. Orrù, G., Piarulli, A., Conversano, C., & Gemignani, A. (2023). Human-like problem-solving abilities in large language models using ChatGPT. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 6, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2023.1199350
  36. Ozlem, U. (2017). Kantian Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Questions of International Law, 1(2), 15–29
  37. Piller, F. T., Srour, M., & Marion, T. J. (2024). Generative AI, Innovation, and Trust. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 60(4), 613–622. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863241285033
  38. Piskopani, A. M., Chamberlain, A., & Ten Holter, C. (2023). Responsible AI and the Arts: The Ethical and Legal Implications of AI in the Arts and Creative Industries. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1145/3597512.3597528
  39. Rajaraman, V. (2014). JohnMcCarthy — Father of artificial intelligence. Resonance, 19(3), 198–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-014-0027-9
  40. Rasyidah, N. A., Aksay, M., & Akmal, M. F. (2024). Urgensi Pembuatan Regulasi Penggunaan AI (Artificial Intelligence) Di Indonesia. Jurnal Penegakan Hukum Indonesia, 5(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.51749/jphi.v5i1.142
  41. Rohmy, A. M., Suratman, T., & Nihayaty, A. I. (2021). UU ITE Dalam Perspektif Perkembangan Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi. Dakwatuna: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi Islam, 7(2), 309–339. https://doi.org/10.54471/dakwatuna.v7i2.1202
  42. Rothe, M. (2021). Problems in the Formulations of Kant’s Categorical Imperative. Ephemeris, the Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy, 1(4), 1–9
  43. Schwaeke, J., Peters, A., Kanbach, D. K., Kraus, S., & Jones, P. (2023). The new normal: The status quo of AI adoption in SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, ahead-of-p(ahead-of-print), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2024.2379999
  44. Staffen, M. R., & Arshakyan, M. (2016). The Legal Development of the Notion of Human Dignity in the Constitutional Jurisprudence. Revista Brasileira de Direito, 12(2), 108–126. https://doi.org/10.18256/2238-0604/revistadedireito.v12n2p108-126
  45. Tan, D. (2021). Metode Penelitian Hukum: Mengupas dan Mengulas Metodologi dalam Menyelenggarakan Penelitian Hukum. NUSANTARA: Jurnal Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial, 8(5), 2463–2478. https://jurnal.um-tapsel.ac.id/index.php/nusantara/article/view/5601
  46. Toosi, A., Bottino, A. G., Saboury, B., Siegel, E., & Rahmim, A. (2021). A Brief History of AI: How to Prevent Another Winter (A Critical Review). PET Clinics, 16(4), 449–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpet.2021.07.001
  47. Vélez, L. S. (2019). The dignity of persons: Kantian ethics and utilitarianism. University of St Andrews
  48. Wacks, R. (2014). Dworkin: the moral integrity of law. In R. Wacks (Ed.), Philosophy of Law: A Very Short Introduction (pp. 49–64). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780199687008.003.0003
  49. Wolemonwu, V. C. (2020). Richard Dean: The Value of Humanity in Kant’s Moral Theory. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 23(2), 221–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-019-09926-2
  50. Xu, Y., Liu, X., Cao, X., Huang, C., Liu, E., Qian, S., Liu, X., Wu, Y., Dong, F., Qiu, C. W., Qiu, J., Hua, K., Su, W., Wu, J., Xu, H., Han, Y., Fu, C., Yin, Z., Liu, M., … Zhang, J. (2021). Artificial intelligence: A powerful paradigm for scientific research. Innovation, 2(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100179
  51. Zhang, Z., Wang, L., & Lee, C. (2023). Recent Advances in Artificial Intelligence Sensors. Advanced Sensor Research, 2(8), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsr.202200072

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2025-07-26 14:39:01

No citation recorded.