Japan's AI Community Raises Alarm on Copyright Infringement in Bots

Takashi Kii, a Member of the House of Representatives in Fukuoka, Japan, has called for regulations to protect copyright holders from AI infringement. Concerns have been raised by Japanese AI experts and researchers regarding the use of illegally-obtained information to train AI systems, leading to potential copyright infringement, job losses, dissemination of false information, and confidential data leaks. A draft submitted by the government's AI strategy council highlights the need for regulations surrounding AI and its risks in relation to copyright infringement. Currently, there are no laws in Japan prohibiting AI from using copyrighted material and illegally-acquired information for training. The subject remains a legal gray area, with questions surrounding responsibility and the recognition of AI as capable of authorship.