Copyright law needs to be shaped by AI.

KUCHING, Sept. 21: The country's copyright and intellectual property legal framework needs to be reviewed and reformed in order to fuel the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies especially in the creative and media industries.

The proposal follows the existing Copyright Act provision that stipulates a work or creation must be entirely human-made in order to qualify for legal protection and royalties.

Deputy Minister in the Department of Premier (Corporate Affairs, Explanation and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol said that the reclassification of the legislation is important as AI is now increasingly being used in the process of producing various forms of digital content.

According to him, the issue of ownership of works produced using AI including those entitled to copyright and receive royalties needs to be clarified through a more adaptive legislative framework.

"When a song, drama or video editing is partially produced using AI technology, say 60 percent AI, the question arises whether it can be registered and who owns the copyright or receives the royalties.

"Existing laws emphasize that creation must come from humans. However, with the presence of AI, this definition needs to be re-explained so that content designers and creators can continue to enjoy the copyright of their work", he said.

He said that when he inaugurated the AI Media Workshop at TEGAS Digital Village, here on Monday.

Meanwhile, Abdullah also reminded media practitioners and content creators to be aware of the risks of AI misuse that could produce defamatory, pornographic or false information.

According to him, the authorities have legislative channels including Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Online Safety Act as well as provisions of the Penal Code to deal with technology misuse that could undermine public order and insult national symbols.

Describing AI as a technology that will continue to evolve, he called on all parties to master and utilize the technology responsibly based on ethics and integrity.