AI Era Calls For Stronger Copyright Protection For Digital Works
KUCHING: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital content creation demands continuous adaptation of copyright protection frameworks to recognise works by the younger generation produced through new technologies.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said this issue has grown increasingly critical given that youth are now capable of producing creative works using various digital tools and AI technologies.
According to him, questions regarding copyright ownership and registration require careful attention, particularly when a work is created with the assistance of or through AI.
“Young people today, especially those in secondary schools, are highly advanced in their thinking and creativity. Sometimes they want to register the copyright for the works they produce.
““This is important because the definitions under the current Copyright Act largely relate to human-created works, whereas many works today are assisted or generated by AI,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Prize Presentation Ceremony of the UKAS TikTok Challenge Competition in conjunction with Malaysia Day 2026, here on Wednesday.
He added that these technological developments also raise new questions concerning creator recognition, work ownership and rights to economic returns such as royalties, all of which require thorough legal scrutiny.
He noted that evolving technologies require intellectual property regulations and laws to continue evolving in tandem with increasingly complex forms of content creation.
In a related development, Datuk Abdullah also reminded participants to use social media responsibly, as such platforms can produce varying impacts depending on how they are utilised.
According to him, social media can serve as a useful medium for conveying messages, but its misuse can lead to misunderstandings, prejudice, defamation and online harm.
He said this needs to be given due attention as social media becomes an increasingly integral part of daily life, including among students who are becoming more active in producing digital content.
Also present were Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) Director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, Sarawak Arts Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Suffian Jalet, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak Director Dr Azizul Ismail and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews
