Blurring the lines: how AI is redefining artistic ownership and copyright

Abstract

The rapid advancement of AI technology has brought about significant changes across various industries, including the realm of art and creative endeavors. Presently, AI demonstrates the capability to produce high-quality works that closely resemble those crafted by humans. However, amidst these advancements, ownership rights remain ambiguous, given that existing copyright laws do not explicitly confer copyright protection to works not originating from human creators. The primary objective of this research is to present a spectrum of opinions and perspectives on a pivotal question: should the ownership of AI-generated works belong to individuals or AI entities? Simultaneously, the study aims to scrutinize the suitability of the existing copyright laws in addressing the complexities of AI-generated works. Additionally, this research paper endeavors to pinpoint the necessary adjustments and enhancements required within the current legal framework to harmonize with the contemporary landscape. To attain these objectives, two surveys were conducted. The first, a quantitative survey, involved a sample size of 100 participants, while the second, a qualitative survey, featured professionals within the creative field and legal experts. Each group comprised five individuals. The research findings gleaned from these surveys strongly suggest that AI-generated works exhibit quality on par with human creations and, therefore, merit classification as human works. Furthermore, there is a compelling argument that these works should be afforded copyright protection to provide clarity regarding their utilization by other individuals. Consequently, the prevailing copyright laws should undergo revision and amendment to reflect the demands of the modern era, establishing precise regulations tailored for AI-generated works.