Regulatory Frameworks for Autonomous Robotics in NEOM's Sustainable Technology Landscape

Abstract

This article embarks on a jurisprudential exploration of the legal framework underpinning NEOM, a pioneering city project in Saudi Arabia that stands at the forefront of technological innovation and urban development. Anchored within the broader context of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, the study delves into the complex interplay between advanced technology and Islamic jurisprudence, addressing the novel legal challenges posed by autonomous robotics and AI systems within NEOM’s futuristic landscape. The paper critically examines the evolving concept of legal personhood in the context of AI, probing the ramifications of granting ‘electronic personhood’ to autonomous entities and its alignment with Islamic legal principles. It further scrutinizes issues of data privacy, technological ethics, and environmental sustainability, proposing a forward-thinking legal architecture that harmonizes technological advancement with ethical mandates and societal protection. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the study navigates the dynamic techno-legal terrain, emphasizing the necessity of agile legal frameworks, adaptive enforcement mechanisms, and global techno-legal consortia. This scholarly exposition not only contributes to the existing body of legal literature on emerging technologies but also offers pragmatic recommendations for NEOM, positing it as a potential model for global urban and legal innovation. The article concludes by highlighting the imperative of continuous legal evolution in response to technological progress, advocating for a jurisprudentially resilient and ethically grounded legal landscape in NEOM.