Author
Assoc Prof Tareck Alsamara
Organisation/Institution
Prince Sultan University PSU
Country
SAUDI ARABIA
Panel
Private Law
Title
AI Decisions at Work: Employer Liability under Saudi Civil and Labour Law
Abstract
This paper examines employer and employee issues arising from workplace decisions based on artificial intelligence (AI) under Saudi civil and labour law. AI systems are increasingly used in hiring, performance evaluation, promotions, and termination of employment. While these technologies can improve efficiency and reduce costs, they also raise legal and ethical challenges when AI makes mistakes, produces biased results, or operates without adequate supervision. Such errors can directly harm employees, for example by unfairly rejecting a qualified candidate, giving a poor performance evaluation, or wrongly terminating an employee. The paper focuses on the civil liability of the employer when AI-based decisions cause damage to employees, analyzing the main elements of liability: fault, damage, and causal link. It also considers the protections provided by Saudi labour law, including employee rights to fair treatment, non-discrimination, and legal remedies for harm caused by automated decisions. By combining civil and labour law perspectives, the study highlights the shared responsibility of employers to supervise AI systems, ensure transparency, and prevent harm to workers. A descriptive and analytical approach is adopted, with examples showing how AI errors affect employees and the legal implications for employers. The paper argues that while AI can bring efficiency and innovation, human oversight is essential to protect employees and maintain accountability. It also discusses the importance of establishing clear policies and legal frameworks to manage AI in the workplace responsibly. This study contributes to understanding how Saudi law addresses emerging AI technologies in employment, emphasizing the balance between innovation and the protection of workers’ rights. The findings aim to guide employers, policymakers, and legal professionals in ensuring that AI use in workplaces is both effective and legally compliant.
Biography
I am an Associate Professor of Law and a researcher at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I hold a Ph.D. in Comparative Private Law from the University of Perpignan Via Domitia, France (2008). I also obtained a Diploma in Comparative Legal Research (2006) and a Master’s degree in Comparative Law (2004) from the same university, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Damascus University (2002). My academic and professional experience includes teaching and research positions at Prince Sultan University, Paris-Est Créteil University (Paris 12), the University of Montpellier 1, and the International University for Science and Technology. I have taught courses in civil law, labour law, commercial law, banking law, and criminal law, and have supervised several master’s theses in financial and commercial law. My research interests focus on comparative private law, labour law, digital law, artificial intelligence and law, arbitration, and legal regulation of emerging technologies. I have published extensively in Arabic, English, and French, including numerous articles in Scopus-indexed journals, and I am the author of a peer-reviewed book on sources of obligations under Saudi civil law and French law. I have also actively participated in international conferences across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
