Maria Namhindo
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform industries and improve the daily lives of Namibians which cannot be overstated. It is worth noting that AI improves efficiency by automating everyday jobs and analysing data.
Thus, AI is an essential drive for innovation through the development of intelligent systems and advanced capabilities of human nature. AI poses can be significant in the following aspects such as empowering personalisation, improving healthcare outcomes, enhancing safety and security measures, increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, contributing to sustainability exertions, aiding in decision-making processes, transforming the education system, and supporting the scientific exploration and discovery of the evolving world. The magnitude of AI lies in its proficiency to drive innovation, improve efficiency, enhance personalisation, and transform numerous industries.
The link between Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property
The link relating to AI and IP is becoming increasingly imperative and AI can produce valuable Intellectual Property (IP); however, AI also appears challenging in terms of IP ownership and protection. Several matters are ascending regarding ownership of AI-produced works, patentability of AI creations, determining authorship for copyright protection, ownership and protection of data used by AI, trade secrets associated with AI algorithms, licensing and collaboration arrangements, and ethical considerations. Therefore, businesses, innovators, and policymakers must adapt IP laws to address these challenges and effect a balance concerning incentivising innovation, protecting IP rights, and addressing ethical concerns.
Threats of AI and IP in Namibia
It is worth noting that AI may infringe on existing IP rights, such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks, by copying, reproducing, or modifying the protected works or inventions without the consent or authorisation of the rights holders. Furthermore, AI may create new IP inventions that are not eligible for protection under the current IP laws and frameworks, such as inventions produced by algorithms and machines without human intervention and input.
Subsequently, AI may advance ethical, cultural, and social issues correlated to the attribution, ownership, and responsibility of the IP inventions created and influenced by AI, such as who should be credited, rewarded, or liable for the AI-generated or AI-assisted conceptions.
Thus, AI may pose a threat, to the national security, sovereignty, and development of the economy of Namibia, especially if the AI technologies and applications are developed or controlled by foreign entities or interests that may not align with Namibian values, goals, or interests.
Opportunities of AI and IP in Namibia
On the other hand, AI is expressive and may enhance the creation, use, and protection of IP, by facilitating the innovation, research, and development engagements, while enlightening the quality and efficiency of the IP registration and enforcement systems, such as increasing the accessibility and distribution of the IP inventions. Moreover, AI may foster the development and competitiveness of the Namibian economy and society, by aiding the diversification, modernisation, and transformation of numerous sectors and industries, such as agriculture, education, culture, mining, health, and tourism and generating new markets, products, and services that can produce value and benefits for the Namibian people.
Hence, AI may subsidise the implementation and realisation of the National Intellectual Property Policy (NIPPS), through the auxiliary integration of IP into the national and sectoral development strategies, by consolidating the IP legal framework and establishments, promoting IP awareness and education which is a major concern for the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) and Namibia at large, and enhancing the IP cooperation and collaboration at the regional and international levels.
Thus, AI and IP are significant and relevant topics for Namibia, and they demand careful and strategic consideration and management by the Namibian government, stakeholders, and society at large.
*Maria Namhindo is a Retirement Fund Consultant with NMG Benefits, she holds a Master of Management, specialised in Intellectual Property, a Master of Science in Economics, specialised in Corporate Finance and Investment: Managerial Economics.