Argentina's new corporate law allows AI agents to operate without human employees, placing liability on the companies.
On May 29, 2026, Argentina's government introduced a significant overhaul of its General Corporation Law, as announced by President Javier Milei. The proposed legislation allows companies classified as "automated" to operate using autonomous algorithms or AI agents without any human employees, although the company remains liable for any damages caused by these systems.
After extensive debates, the Senate's ruling bloc, led by Patricia Bullrich, confirmed that automated corporations must have a designated responsible party. This decision aims to clarify accountability in transactions involving AI agents.
Legal Challenges of AI Accountability
As artificial intelligence becomes more autonomous, legal complexities emerge. Current regulations, such as California's AB 316, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13, 2025, address liability but do not provide clear guidelines on causality or foreseeability regarding AI actions. This leaves unanswered questions about responsibility when AI systems make independent decisions.
In a notable case, Amazon sued Perplexity over its AI-integrated Comet browser, arguing that the assistant acted autonomously without proper user consent. A ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court clarified that users interact directly with servers, positioning Comet merely as a tool.
"A computer cannot bear responsibility, thus it should never make management decisions," stated a 1979 IBM seminar.
This perspective has shifted dramatically, with machines now taking on decision-making roles while human creators bear the accountability.
Legislative Developments in Argentina
The new General Corporation Law, which proposes nearly 300 articles, introduces the terms "automated company" and "operational DAO." The former allows any corporation to operate with AI agents by adopting the "automated" designation in its charter. This grants the company full legal personality and limited liability, meaning it is responsible for damages caused by its AI systems.
On June 3, 2026, Milei and Minister of Deregulation Federico Sturzenegger outlined their vision in a Financial Times op-ed, emphasizing a framework that encourages AI development without restrictive regulations. They likened this legal innovation to the establishment of the Dutch East India Company, arguing for limited liability in the context of AI.
However, this analogy was challenged by historian Yuval Noah Harari, who warned that granting AI a separate legal status could lead to unprecedented governance structures dominated by non-human entities.
In response to concerns about accountability, Bullrich announced on August 19 that automated companies must designate a responsible individual, ensuring clear accountability in cases of harm.
Global Regulatory Landscape
As nations grapple with the implications of AI, various jurisdictions are implementing their own regulations. China has set a precedent with its framework for AI agents, mandating human oversight for decisions made by AI. The European Union is advancing regulations that classify AI systems by risk, while South Korea's laws require foreign AI providers to appoint a local representative responsible for compliance.
As the global debate continues, the focus remains on establishing clear guidelines for human accountability in the evolving landscape of AI governance.
