4 Dec 2025

AI agents: What are they and who's liable if things go wrong?

From Nine To Noon, 11:05 am on 4 December 2025
AI Artificial intelligence Deep machine learning concept. Robot icon on mobile phone screen.

AI agents can help you with your tasks - even learning over time to plan what you need. But what happens if it stuffs up - who ends up paying? Photo: 123RF

Tech commentator Alex Sims looks at computer programs that use artificial intelligence to pursue goals and tasks with minimal input, over time learning to plan and adapt what you need. She'll look at some examples of what they can be used for, and some realistic examples of where things could go wrong. What does the law say about who's liable if mistakes are made?

Alex Sims is a Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law