The Nature of Intellectual Property Rights for Works Produced by Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

The sweeping effect of technology cannot be overemphasized in our world today. Before now, computers used to be merely tools to carry out diverse functions, now these computers can now perform these tasks with or without human help. Artificial intelligence is growing in leaps and bounds daily, its impact is huge, and it keeps pervading all sectors. The emergence of artificial intelligence increasingly contends with the hackneyed belief that creativity is the exclusive preserve of human beings. The advent of artificial intelligence, especially considering the fact it is now capable of making creative and inventive works poses a form of legal challenge. Intellectual property laws refer to a body of laws that seek to recognize and protect products of human intellect, and grant creators and inventors certain legal rights to control the commercial exploitation of their work or invention. These forms of protection include but are not limited to copyright and patent. Now that computer algorithms and learning machines have now become a source of creativity, the question is now whether or not these machines can enjoy intellectual property rights on works made by them, even though they are non-human entities. It becomes pertinent to reconsider intellectual property laws generally in the light of this reality. This work seeks to examine the legal questions posed by artificial intelligence and other consequential issues.