Journal of Cyber Law (JOCL)

Journal of Cyber Law (JOCL)

Analysis of the Impact of Virtual Infants on the Institution of the Family and the Matter of Childbearing

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The rapid advancement of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, has led to the emergence of phenomena that are gradually blurring the boundary between objective reality and virtual space. Accordingly, one of the phenomena that has attracted attention in recent years is ʺvirtual infantsʺ,which undoubtedly create new horizons in human-technology interaction. Although these infants are created by computers, they would not be distinguishable from real-world infants insofar as they possess capabilities such as seeing, hearing, responding, learning, and gradual development. Such digital entities, despite their apparently technological nature, in practice exert significant psychological, social, and legal impacts on the institution of the family, and neglecting them may entail irreparable consequences. In the present study, the author, while maintaining scientific impartiality, seeks-through a precise description and elucidation of the idea of creating virtual infants as an emerging phenomenon based on artificial intelligence-to foster a profound understanding and accurate perception of the subject for the audience. After identifying the capacities and challenges of this phenomenon, the study adopts a policy-oriented perspective to evaluate the possibility of its legal regulation in light of domestic law. The finding of the research indicate that virtual infants may possess positive educational and emotional functions within the family; however, the absence of a clear legal framework and the lack of calibrated legislative intervention may lead to the weakening of genuine emotional relationships within the family, the formation of substitute attachments, the reduction of motivations for childbearing, and ultimately population decline. Accordingly, the formulation of a comprehensive approach for regulation and for assessing the long-term effects of virtual infants on demographic dynamics and the functions of the family institution is essential.
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