Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to challenge traditional assumptions of corporate organization, governance, and commerce. While AI is widely recognized as a tool for enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency, an emerging possibility lies in the concept of AI corporations—autonomous economic entities capable of engaging in trade, investment, and contractual relationships without direct human intervention. This paper explores the rise of AI corporations and their potential to redefine global commerce through autonomous economic agents. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical framework, drawing on secondary data, global case studies of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), AI-driven financial institutions, and blockchain-enabled smart contracts. Findings suggest that AI corporations could significantly reduce transaction costs, enable borderless 24/7 trade, and enhance economic efficiency while simultaneously raising profound challenges concerning legal identity, accountability, taxation, and regulatory oversight. Unlike traditional corporations that rely on human managers and shareholders, AI corporations operate on algorithmic autonomy, raising questions about liability, ethical conduct, and governance in the absence of human decision-makers. The implications are both economic and policy-oriented: while the integration of AI corporations could accelerate global trade and investment, unchecked autonomy could lead to monopolistic control, systemic risks, and destabilization of labor markets. The paper argues for the urgent development of international regulatory frameworks, AI-specific corporate laws, and hybrid human–AI governance models to harness the opportunities while mitigating risks. By positioning AI corporations as the next stage in the evolution of commerce—from traditional enterprises to digital platforms and now autonomous entities—this study contributes to the discourse on the future of global business, law, and economic systems.