John Asein, director-general, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has advised publishers, authors and other creatives to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to assist them in creating and delivering their products timely.

Mr Asein was the keynote speaker at a two-day 2024 annual conference and general meeting of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA).

The event began on Thursday in Lagos with the theme: “Publishing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Future of Content Creation, Delivery and Copyright.”

Mr Asein said AI could be used responsibly and sustainably to guarantee a secure future for the creative industry for the good of humanity.

“AI is not only about the technology but also the for users – in this case, the publishers – to make the best of it.

“We must first understand it, value it as a tool that should help us to create and deliver our products, and eventually own it.

“In fact, it will empower authors to become publishers and maybe help publishers too to become authors,” Mr Asein said.

He said there might be “fights” over licencing, attribution, fair deal, and compensation for using copyright works to train AI.

“Eventually, we would find some balance. If need be, we will re-engage at the international level to reset the existing norms and redefine the rights and boundaries of copyright to have win-win outcomes.

“As we talk about the delicate labyrinth of technology and legal and regulatory imperatives for AI in the publishing industry, permit me to caution that not all the issues are copyright-based.

“It is not likely that we will be able to find solutions to all of them. A lot is still evolving, and we must proceed cautiously in prescribing solutions,” Mr Asein said.

He advised publishers to take more interest in their industry’s legal and policy issues and follow through to see the desired change.

“We should reflect deeply on the origins of copyright, the interest of Nigeria and the future of copyright as the soul of publishing,” Mr Asein said.

(NAN)