BCS Hybrid Event: Generative AI vs. Generative IP - The Clash of Creativity

The profound influence of generative AI on creativity and ownership: Discover the journey of Human-AI collaboration, navigating challenges, and embracing a vision of Infinite possibilities in the creative landscape.

ai, ip

Conference hall, BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT, Copthall Avenue, London

Generative AI is ushering in a profound shift in our understanding of creativity and ownership. As this technology continues to evolve, it has captivated the world with its remarkable capacity to produce incredibly lifelike content across various domains such as text, art, code, music, poetry, videos and games. The potential of generative AI is immense, and its long-term vision promises to reshape the way we perceive and engage with creative processes.

In the realm of creativity, generative AI offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration between human creators and intelligent machines. By automating certain aspects of content generation, artists, writers, and musicians can unleash their imagination to new heights, exploring uncharted territories that were previously limited by time and resources. This synergy of human ingenuity and AI's computational power could lead to groundbreaking works of art that transcend conventional boundaries.

Moreover, the integration of generative AI into various industries holds the key to significantly improving productivity and efficiency. Businesses can leverage AI-generated content to streamline workflows, develop personalized marketing strategies, and enhance customer experiences. The ability to automate repetitive tasks and generate content at scale would undoubtedly free up human resources to focus on more complex and strategic endeavors, driving innovation and progress across the board.


Work flow planning PHOTO: Alvaro Reyes via Getty Images

However, with this transformative potential also comes a potential challenge. The widespread adoption of generative AI might lead to concerns about disintermediation and role rationalization. As AI becomes increasingly adept at generating creative works, there could be disruptions in traditional creative industries and job roles. Artists, writers, and content creators may face the need to redefine their roles and adapt to a world where collaboration with AI becomes the norm.

What makes generative AI applications so compelling?

Generative AI applications have captured the imagination of users worldwide due to their remarkable capabilities. These models can generate highly realistic content across various domains, such as art, music, writing and more. The ability to witness AI produce creative works that resemble human-made creations is both awe-inspiring and intriguing, leading many to explore the potential of this technology further.

Is it the seemingly miraculous leap in capability, application and user experience?

The leap in capability demonstrated by generative AI is nothing short of extraordinary. From creating artworks and composing music to generating entire paragraphs of text, the versatility of these models is astounding. This newfound level of application and user experience has revolutionized industries and sparked innovative use cases, captivating individuals and businesses alike.

Central interface showcasing Figma’s APIs featuring sleek design, intuitive navigation, and powerful toolset.

Could it be something to do with the timing, post-pandemic, or the tantalizing promise of even greater things to come?

The timing of the emergence of generative AI indeed plays a significant role in its appeal. Post-pandemic, there has been a surge in virtual experiences, remote collaborations and creative pursuits. Generative AI aligns perfectly with this shift towards digital interaction and exploration of new possibilities. Moreover, the tantalizing promise of continued advancements in the field fuels excitement about the untapped potential and future breakthroughs.

The graph above illustrates the rapid pace of technological change and adoption. It shows that the rate at which new technologies are being adopted by users is increasing, with companies like Facebook, Instagram, Chat GPT, Tik Tok, and Threads gaining large numbers of users in a short time frame. This trend suggests that the pace of change will continue to accelerate and that the future will bring even more rapid technological advancements and adoption. It’s an exciting time to be alive, as we are witnessing the birth of new technologies and their impact on society.

Threads, the social media app launched by Instagram-owner Meta, has broken all records by signing up more than 100 million users in less than five days. This makes Threads the fastest growing app in history, surpassing even the record set by Open AI’s ChatGPT app. The app has benefited from being an extension of Instagram, which has over two billion monthly active users.

The relationship between human-like robots and emotional responses

The term “uncanny valley” (see photo) refers to the phenomenon where people experience discomfort or even disgust when they encounter robots or other artificial beings that look and act almost, but not exactly, like humans. This concept was first introduced in 1970 by Masahiro Mori, a professor of robotics at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Mori observed that as robots become more human-like in appearance, they become more appealing to people, but only up to a certain point. Beyond this point, the robots enter the “uncanny valley,” where their human-like appearance becomes unsettling and people begin to feel uneasy or even scared. This has important implications for the development of robotics and artificial intelligence, as it suggests that attempts to create robots or avatars that mimic human behavior too closely may actually end up alienating people.

And what has all this got to do with Intellectual Property (IP)?

The rise of generative AI raises intriguing questions concerning intellectual property rights. As AI begins to produce creative works, the issue of ownership and authorship becomes increasingly complex. Traditionally, intellectual property laws protected human creators, but now, with AI's involvement, defining ownership and rights becomes more challenging. The potential for AI to autonomously generate valuable and original content brings IP matters to the forefront of discussions.

Is this finally the right time to update and upgrade that most artificial of property rights into something more fitting for the 21st century?

The emergence of generative AI undoubtedly demands a reevaluation of existing intellectual property rights. As technology evolves, it becomes crucial to adapt legal frameworks to ensure fairness, protection, and incentivization for both human creators and AI-generated works. This prompts the question of whether it is time to establish new regulations and guidelines that recognize the collaborative nature of human-AI creativity and provide clarity on IP ownership in the 21st century digital landscape.

Closing Remarks

To navigate these potential challenges, a long-term vision must involve fostering a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. Rather than replacing human creativity, generative AI should be seen as a tool that enhances and amplifies human potential. Emphasizing education and upskilling to harness the full potential of generative AI will be crucial in nurturing a workforce that can thrive in this new creative landscape.

Generative AI represents a transformative force that holds both great promise and potential challenges. Embracing this technology with a long-term vision of collaboration, education, and adaptation will be essential to harnessing its power for the betterment of creativity, productivity and human progress as a whole. By striking a balance between man and machine, we can unlock the true magic of generative AI and shape a future where creativity knows no bounds.

Speaker: Jude Umeh CITP FBCS

Speaker Biography

Jude is the Architect Lead at Salesforce, heading a team of certified architects and technical consultants in the Media, Hi-Tech & Comms Industry Pillar in the UK&I Customer Success Group. He co-leads an innovative group of explorers, pioneers, and intrapreneurs, delving into the cutting-edge domains of Generative AI and EinsteinGPT. With a passion for technology and a vision for the future, Jude drives transformative solutions that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. His expertise and dedication make him a sought-after thought leader, inspiring businesses to leverage AI for unparalleled growth and success.


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