Drafted in 2022 by the UN Commission on International Trade Law and finalised in July 2024, the law provides a legal framework for using automation in international contracts, including artificial intelligence techniques, “smart contracts”, and machine-to-machine transactions.

The resolution, along with the Model Law, will be submitted to the UN General Assembly in December for consideration and adoption.

The Model Law on Automated Contracting is a new UN initiative to help countries refine their legal systems to regulate new commercial transaction methods, effectively addressing new legal challenges while maximising opportunities brought by the use of automation and AI in commerce and contributing to a fair and transparent legal framework for e-commerce.