Machine-Readable Law: Concept, Problems, Prospects

The paper reveals the basic aspects of machine-readable law as a popular concept involving the translation of the text of a legal act from natural language into digital format. It is predicted that the field of machine-readable law will expand simultaneously with the spread of digital technologies in the public administration system, as well as while giving various digital devices the greatest autonomy during operation. The paper presents various terms (with a definition of their content and specifics) that are used to characterize machine-readable law in legal acts in Russia and abroad: rules as code, legislation as code, machine-executable rules, machine-usable rules, semantic machine-readable rules, and machine-readable rules. The content of the Russian Concept for the development of machine-readable law technologies, approved by the Government Commission on Digital Development and the Use of Information Technology to improve the quality of life and business conditions is discussed. The main features of machine-readable law and the directions of its development, the difficulties of its implementation are highlighted, including the emergence of a digital language of a regulatory act, the creation of expert control, and the rejection by citizens. The key risks and threats that arise during the implementation of machine-readable law are also systematized. 

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