Description

About the Event

As Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) move closer to commercial reality, AI systems are expected to play an increasingly significant role in functions traditionally performed by masters and crew. This raises an important practical question: who should ultimately bear the loss when AI decisions result in cargo damage?

Although claims will ordinarily be brought against the carrier, cargo interests and insurers may also seek recovery directly from the producers of AI systems. Rather than advocating a new product liability regime for MASS, this seminar explains why the challenges posed by AI can largely be addressed within the existing framework of English negligence law by ensuring that questions of defect, evidence, causation and remoteness are addressed at the appropriate doctrinal stage. The discussion concludes by considering the practical implications for insurers and contractual risk allocation.

About the Speaker

Dr Özdel is the founder of the UCL Autonomous Shipping Project and former Director of the UCL Centre for Commercial Law. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a supporting member of the LMAA (London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association). She has written extensively in the areas of international trade law, carriage of goods by sea, international commercial arbitration and conflict of laws and jurisdiction. She is the editor and co-author of Commercial Maritime Law (2020, Hart Publishing), author of Bills of Lading Incorporating Charterparties (2015, Hart Publishing) and co-author of EU Transport Law (2016, Hart-Nomos-Beck). She is also the Course Convenor for the International Trade Law and Carriage of Goods by Sea modules and co-convenes the International Arbitration Law module. She is also the chief examiner for the Carriage of Goods by Sea and International Trade Law modules on the University of London International Programme.