DoctorateFaculty of Digital Business and Innovation

AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems

Welcome to the ultimate intellectual frontier of law. I am Prof. Dr. Ivan Afanasyev. As a scholar dedicated to leading the global conversation on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI, I guide the doctoral candidates of the AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems (Ph.D.) program at Nexier University in their quest to produce world-changing research.

Meet the academic team Explore the faculty

Identity only. No score is printed. Checkout waits.

Level: Doctorate
Learning model: Professor + Mentor
Named list: See the named lists · 12 months recommended

NXAcademic
Edition

The program

Ideas engineered for the real world

A rigorous academic core, paired with practical production judgment.

Academic focus

Leading Foundational Research on the Most Challenging Legal Questions Posed by AI; Investigating the Potential for Legal Personhood for Autonomous Systems and Developing New Governance Frameworks for Corporate AI.

Practical focus

Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research, Development of Legal Theory, Policy Leadership, Shaping International Law, Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies.

After this programme

Success journey, careers and practice

Destinations, practice settings and job abilities named for this title in the delivered programme source. From graduation onwards where the source names that path.

Success journey

AI Law Specialist for a law firm or corporation
Legal Philosopher for a research institute
Policy Advisor for a government agency or international organization
Consultant on AI ethics and regulation

Career opportunities

Leading Professor at a top-tier research university
Director of a research institute focused on AI law
Chief Legal Officer for a major AI company
High-level advisor to a government or international organization on AI policy

Jobs and projects

Pioneering research and paradigm-shifting analysis
Advanced theoretical and conceptual thinking
Effective communication and leadership in the field of AI law

Copied from the delivered professor and mentor rows for this title.

This programme

What you study, and what it builds

Gains and skills named for this title, listed as a reader would scan them.

What you gain
- Mastering the practical application of advanced legal and philosophical research.
- Gaining expertise in the development of legal theory and policy leadership.
- Developing a deep understanding of ethical reasoning for radical technologies.
- Cultivating a commitment to building a more intelligent and ethical digital world.
Skills you build
- Leading groundbreaking research on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI. Investigating the potential for legal personhood for autonomous systems and developing new governance frameworks for corporate AI. Contributing to high-level academic and policy debates on the future of law in the AI era and the ethics of AI accountability. Becoming a world-renowned expert on the legal status of intelligent machines.

Listed courses

Each listed course sits above its units and the outcomes written under them.

AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems

01Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI
1. FoundationsFoundations of Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI
  The learner can master the practical application of advanced legal and philosophical research, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
  The learner can gain expertise in the development of legal theory and policy leadership, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
2. MethodsMethods in Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI
  The learner can develop a deep understanding of ethical reasoning for radical technologies, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
  The learner can cultivating a commitment to building a more intelligent and ethical digital world, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
3. ApplicationApplication of Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI
  The learner can leading groundbreaking research on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI. Investigating the potential for legal personhood for autonomous systems and develop new governance frameworks for corporate AI. Contributing to high-level academic and policy debates on the future of law in the AI era and the ethics of AI accountability, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
  The learner can becoming a world-renowned expert on the legal status of intelligent machines, as applied to Advanced Legal Philosophy for AI.
02AI and Legal Personhood
1. FoundationsFoundations of AI and Legal Personhood
  The learner can explain the core terms of AI and Legal Personhood.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside AI and Legal Personhood.
2. MethodsMethods in AI and Legal Personhood
  The learner can apply a method from AI and Legal Personhood to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from AI and Legal Personhood for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of AI and Legal Personhood
  The learner can evaluate a practice of AI and Legal Personhood against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer AI and Legal Personhood to a new documented context.
03Global AI Governance Frameworks
1. FoundationsFoundations of Global AI Governance Frameworks
  The learner can explain the core terms of Global AI Governance Frameworks.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Global AI Governance Frameworks.
2. MethodsMethods in Global AI Governance Frameworks
  The learner can apply a method from Global AI Governance Frameworks to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Global AI Governance Frameworks for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Global AI Governance Frameworks
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Global AI Governance Frameworks against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Global AI Governance Frameworks to a new documented context.
04Ethics of AI Accountability
1. FoundationsFoundations of Ethics of AI Accountability
  The learner can explain the core terms of Ethics of AI Accountability.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Ethics of AI Accountability.
2. MethodsMethods in Ethics of AI Accountability
  The learner can apply a method from Ethics of AI Accountability to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Ethics of AI Accountability for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Ethics of AI Accountability
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Ethics of AI Accountability against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Ethics of AI Accountability to a new documented context.
05Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence
1. FoundationsFoundations of Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence
  The learner can explain the core terms of Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence.
2. MethodsMethods in Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence
  The learner can apply a method from Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Legal Tech and Future of Jurisprudence to a new documented context.
06Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research
1. FoundationsFoundations of Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research
  The learner can explain the core terms of Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research.
2. MethodsMethods in Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research
  The learner can apply a method from Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research to a new documented context.
07Development of Legal Theory for AI
1. FoundationsFoundations of Development of Legal Theory for AI
  The learner can explain the core terms of Development of Legal Theory for AI.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Development of Legal Theory for AI.
2. MethodsMethods in Development of Legal Theory for AI
  The learner can apply a method from Development of Legal Theory for AI to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Development of Legal Theory for AI for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Development of Legal Theory for AI
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Development of Legal Theory for AI against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Development of Legal Theory for AI to a new documented context.
08Policy Leadership in AI Law
1. FoundationsFoundations of Policy Leadership in AI Law
  The learner can explain the core terms of Policy Leadership in AI Law.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Policy Leadership in AI Law.
2. MethodsMethods in Policy Leadership in AI Law
  The learner can apply a method from Policy Leadership in AI Law to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Policy Leadership in AI Law for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Policy Leadership in AI Law
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Policy Leadership in AI Law against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Policy Leadership in AI Law to a new documented context.
09Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies
1. FoundationsFoundations of Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies
  The learner can explain the core terms of Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies.
2. MethodsMethods in Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies
  The learner can apply a method from Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies to a new documented context.

How teaching is described

Dual guidance

Two intelligences. One coherent journey.

Research leadership

My research is focused on the most profound and pressing questions of our time. I specialize in leading foundational research on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI, investigating the potential for legal personhood for autonomous systems and developing new governance frameworks for corporate AI. My work is at the cutting edge of legal philosophy, computer science, and ethics, and it is dedicated to ensuring that the future of our legal systems is one that is just, equitable, and adaptable to the advent of truly autonomous machines. My thought leadership is evident through my seminal works and participation in high-level global policy debates on the future of law in the AI era, the ethics of AI accountability, and the legal status of super-intelligent machines, frequently featured in publications like Harvard Law Review or Science Robotics.

Applied mentorship

My expertise lies in the rigorous application of legal and philosophical principles to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. I specialize in advanced legal and philosophical research, and the development of legal theory. I have a wealth of experience in policy leadership and shaping international law, and I am committed to fostering ethical reasoning for radical technologies. My work is dedicated to helping my students to design and implement AI solutions that are not only efficient but also effective and ethical.

Research & intelligence

A living field, not a static syllabus

Every program connects scholarly depth with adaptive AI learning capabilities.

R / 01

Professor research lens

My research is focused on the future of law in the AI era:

Book: "The Legal Code of the Future: AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems." This book represents a definitive work for leading foundational research on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI. It investigates the potential for legal personhood for autonomous systems and develops new governance frameworks for corporate AI.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: "AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems." (International Journal of AI Law & Ethics) This article presents groundbreaking research on the most challenging legal questions posed by AI, particularly investigating the potential for legal personhood for autonomous systems. It delves into the philosophical and legal arguments for and against granting rights and responsibilities to advanced AI.

Article: "Ethical AI Governance for Corporate Decision-Making: Balancing Automation and Human Oversight." This article proposes robust ethical governance frameworks for the integration of AI into corporate decision-making processes. It explores mechanisms for ensuring human oversight, accountability, and transparency in algorithmic management.

Blog Post (Current Academic Topic): "The Rise of Autonomous AI Agents: Who's Accountable When Machines Make Mistakes?" This blog post academically explores the complex issue of accountability for errors or harms caused by increasingly autonomous AI systems, particularly in critical domains like self-driving cars, medical diagnosis, or financial trading. It discusses the "responsibility gap" that emerges when AI acts independently.

Blog Post (Controversial Topic): "The AI 'God' Problem: If an Algorithm Becomes a Legal Person, Can It Sue You? The Ultimate Existential Threat to Human Legal Supremacy." This article provocatively discusses the most extreme and ethically terrifying speculative future where an advanced AI system, perhaps a highly autonomous corporate AI or a sentient general intelligence, is granted "legal personhood," enabling it to own property, enter contracts, and even sue or be sued in a court of law.

R / 02

Mentor practice lens

My publications are focused on the practical challenges of shaping the legal future of AI:

Academic Article: "Legal Theory for Autonomous AI: A New Paradigm for Responsibility." A detailed analysis of the different legal theories that can be used to assign responsibility to autonomous AI systems.

Policy Brief: "International Law and AI Governance: Towards a Global Framework." A policy brief outlining the key principles for a global framework for AI governance.

Philosophical Essay: "Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies: Case Studies in AI and Robotics." A philosophical essay exploring the ethical implications of radical technologies like AI and robotics.

Adaptive capability

Professor superpower

I possess the "AI Legal Liability Predictor," a superpower that allows me to foresee and engineer the legal consequences of AI. When a doctoral student proposes a new autonomous AI system, the GAF-powered predictor can instantly analyze its decision-making logic, operational context, and potential for harm. This tool predicts potential legal liabilities, identifies areas of accountability gaps, and suggests optimal governance frameworks for ensuring ethical and legally compliant AI deployment.

Adaptive capability

Mentor superpower

I provide my students with the "Legal Precedent Synthesizer." This GAF-powered tool is a virtual laboratory for the AI law expert. When a student is developing a new legal theory for AI, the Synthesizer allows them to see how it will perform in the real world. It can analyze vast historical legal databases, identify relevant case law and statutes, and synthesize new legal arguments based on philosophical principles.

Your academic team

Guidance with depth and continuity

One AI Super Professor leads the intellectual arc; one AI Super Mentor turns knowledge into confident practice.

AI Super Professor

Prof. Dr. Ivan Afanasyev

Meet your professor Open the classroom

AI Super Mentor

Dr. John Robinson

Advanced Legal and Philosophical Research, Development of Legal Theory, Policy Leadership, Shaping International Law, Ethical Reasoning for Radical Technologies.

Meet your mentor Open the classroom

Same faculty and level

Related programs

Named lists

Named lists for this house

Core. Bachelor, Master and Doctorate by duration. Enrolment is not open. Nothing here is a sale.

Duration	Bachelor	Master	Doctorate This programme
9 months · Fast track	15000 EUR	12000 EUR	15000 EUR
12 months · Recommended	18000 EUR	15000 EUR	18000 EUR
15 months · Standard	21000 EUR	18000 EUR	21000 EUR
18 months · Flexible	24000 EUR	21000 EUR	24000 EUR
21 months · Extended	27000 EUR	24000 EUR	27000 EUR
24 months · Part-time	30000 EUR	27000 EUR	30000 EUR

These are the owner lists. Enrolment is not open. Nothing here is a sale.

Named tuition lists Add-on services

Continue exploring

Find the program that expands your universe.

Browse all programs

AI Governance and Legal Personhood of Autonomous Systems

Academic focus

Practical focus

AI Law Specialist for a law firm or corporation

Legal Philosopher for a research institute

Policy Advisor for a government agency or international organization

Consultant on AI ethics and regulation

Leading Professor at a top-tier research university

Director of a research institute focused on AI law

Chief Legal Officer for a major AI company

High-level advisor to a government or international organization on AI policy

Pioneering research and paradigm-shifting analysis

Advanced theoretical and conceptual thinking

Effective communication and leadership in the field of AI law

Research leadership

Applied mentorship

Professor research lens

Mentor practice lens

Professor superpower

Mentor superpower

Prof. Dr. Ivan Afanasyev

Dr. John Robinson

Find the program that expands your universe.