Copyright Law and Artificial Intelligence: Current U.S. Regulation, Ethical Considerations, and Impact on Licensing Trends

Abstract

This presentation overviewed interactions between United States (U.S.) copyright law and artificial intelligence (AI). In recent years, extensive economic activity around AI surfaced new business-oriented issues, including new copyright issues. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the U.S. Copyright Office held listening sessions around generative AI and copyright, and is now releasing guidance. A current parallel regulatory thrust is comprehensive U.S. federal regulation of AI. The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (NAIIA) of 2020 provided funding for a five-year rollout of AI regulation, including AI ethics. With AI ethics regulation in rapid development in the U.S., and legally binding outcomes pending, large corporations building AI tools have a strong incentive to control the conversation and define AI ethics. By emphasizing copyright, large corporations might seek to shift emphasis away from ethical issues