Neural networks have gained their own code

11.11.2021

Artificial intelligence has been equated with human rights, however, so far only in copyright for a shorter period and in less scope.

At the end of October, Moscow hosted the First International Forum “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: The Beginning of Trust”, which was attended by representatives of the technological community, science, education, business, society and the state, manufacturers and consumers of AI.

The key event of the forum was the adoption of the Code of Ethics for Artificial Intelligence. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Analytical Center of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence took part in drafting the document. Six fundamental principles of human interaction with neural networks were formulated in the Code, but one of the most acute problems of today, the recognition of authorship for the result of artificial intelligence, remained outside the framework.

Andrey Krichevsky, President of the IPChain Association, suggested taking the next logical step and granting copyrights to works created by AI to companies that produce an intellectual product using neural networks.

Why equalize people and algorithms? – Because the lack of general rules can lead to unexpected costs for the business.

Justifying the need to introduce general rules, Andrey Krichevsky said: “In most countries of the world, only a person, an individual can be considered the author of a work. In fact, the company produces music by machine, and the authorship is attributed to a certain nominal figure. This creates serious risks, because such fictitious authorship can easily be challenged in court – the plaintiff can prove the lack of creative input. In the same way that labels hold exclusive rights to sound tracks, companies using AI could have a clear set of rights to the product created with its participation.”

But at the same time, a neural network and an individual cannot have equal rights due to natural reasons. To resolve this dilemma, according to Vitaly Kalyatin, Chief Lawyer on intellectual property rights at ROSNANO Management Company, it is necessary to use the experience of the countries where such regulation is already in place. Works created with the help of AI can be provided with protection in a narrower sphere, for a shorter period and in less scope than objects created without such participation. Vitaly Kalyatin noted that in this case, the organizer of creative production will always have a choice: to hire people who will have to be paid salaries and get long-term protection, or use artificial intelligence and get limited protection.

Special regulation of artificial intelligence is now a worldwide trend. About 30 countries with a high level of technology development, primarily the United States, Britain, China, and France, have adopted strategies for the development of AI. The International Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is also developing its own standard. The adoption of the Code of Ethics for Artificial Intelligence is in line with the global trend and will allow Russia to take its place among the developed countries that trust digital technologies.