In their article in a journal on artificial intelligence and law, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz and Moritz Wiechert analyze the first German case law on automatically generated content. In doing so, they highlight the fundamental challenges facing traditional freedom of expression law in the age of AI.
The article “Äußerungsrecht im KI-Zeitalter. Analyse der ersten Rechtsprechung zu automatisch generierten Inhalten” [Analyse der ersten Rechtsprechung zu automatisch generierten Inhalten [Freedom of Expression in the Age of AI. An Analysis of the First Case Law on Automatically Generated Content] has been published in German only in the journal “Künstliche Intelligenz und Recht” [Artificial Intelligence and Law].
Abstract
From search suggestions to automated rating systems to the outputs of generative language models, content is created without human intervention in shaping its specific form, or even awareness of its creation. This article analyzes early German case law on automatically generated content and shows that courts interpret it according to traditional freedom of expression standards. At the same time, the legal theory of liability is shifting from responsibility for content to obligations to ensure safety and exercise control. The operator is not liable for the specific statement itself but rather for enabling it. These decisions thus implicitly assume that technical systems are capable of communicative action. In light of the widespread adoption of generative AI, freedom of expression raises fundamental questions: Are the categories of opinion, expression, and endorsement—as well as the protected interests of personality rights—still adequate for human communication?
Schulz, Wolfgang; Wiechert, Moritz (2026): Äußerungsrecht im KI-Zeitalter. Analyse der ersten Rechtsprechung zu automatisch generierten Inhalten. In: KIR 2026, 223, https://beck-online.beck.de/?vpath=bibdata%2Fzeits%2FKIR%2F2026%2Fcont%2FKIR.2026.223.1.htm (paywall)