Support AI but don't destroy cultural industries

Supporting copyright and AI is entirely possible, but the pursuit of technological progress cannot come at the expense of cultural industries and content.

Bilateral signing ceremony between the Vietnam Copyright Association (VIETRRO) and two US and UK organizations on copyright - Photo: LE GIANG

On the morning of October 22, the workshop "Building a creative economy : Promoting the enforcement of copyright in Vietnam" was held in Ho Chi Minh City. The issue of copyright in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) was of concern. The rights of creators must be respected and AI must be used responsibly.

The event was organized by the Vietnam Copyright Association (VIETRRO) in coordination with the Copyright Office, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Publishing Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Education Association, and the support of the International Federation of Copyright Organizations (IFRRO). The conference took place on October 22 and 23.

AI, generative AI needs to be regulated by licensing

Ms. Sarah Quynh Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Relations at IFRRO, stated IFRRO's view on AI: IFRRO supports large language models (LLMs) that are trained responsibly and fairly, using trustworthy content, and respecting copyright.

However, the LLM training process inevitably involves duplication and copyright laws need to be applied. Licensing is the most effective approach to combining AI technology and copyright. This includes both direct licensing and collective licensing, which together can create a solid foundation for AI systems to continue to innovate.

Ms. Sarah Quynh Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Relations at IFRRO

In terms of the market, licensing options provided by rights holders (directly and collectively) are essential. Licensing will facilitate training, development and commercialization of AI.

Several IFRRO members have developed collective licensing solutions including CCC (USA), VG Wort (Germany), JAC (Japan), CLA (UK) and CA (Australia)...

"It is absolutely possible to support copyright and AI, but the pursuit of technological progress must not come at the expense of destroying our cultural industries and content. Creators' rights must be respected and AI must be developed and used responsibly," the IFRRO representative concluded.

Mr. Michael Healy, Executive Director of the US Copyright Licensing Center (CCC), commented that Generative AI (which is very popular in society) is interfering with the way we create intellectual products.

Mr. Michael Healy, Executive Director of the American Copyright Licensing Center (CCC)

AI systems rely on copyrighted materials. Copies are being made, stored, and added value to AI systems in perpetuity. But Mr. Healy said new laws are not needed to address this. Courts, policymakers, and legislators need to respect copyright and enforce existing laws.

“Licenses – direct and collective – need to evolve to suit today's changing marketplace,” he said.

High revenue and the rights of every citizen

James Bennett is Head of Rights Relations at the UK Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), which has been licensing for over 40 years. He said the big benefit of licensing is the high turnover (106 million euros in the past year, more than 3,200 billion VND), coming from the education, business and government sectors.

CLA also contributes to the UK's creative industries, which are worth £126 billion, accounting for 5.7% of the UK economy and supporting more than 2.4 million jobs. In April 2025, CLA and two other organizations announced plans to launch the Generative AI Training License.

Mr. Hoang Trong Quang, Chairman of VIETRRO

At the workshop, VIETRRO organized a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperation with CCC and CLA. Mr. Hoang Trong Quang, Chairman of VIETRRO, commented that Vietnam is a place where cultural and scientific exchanges are concentrated and has a vibrant and fresh culture. In that, the right to copy is a legitimate right of every Vietnamese citizen.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha - Deputy Head of the Department of Management and International Cooperation on Copyright and Related Rights (Copyright Office) - thanked international organizations for supporting Vietnam in enforcing the right to copy.

This workshop aims to provide opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and building a solid foundation for a transparent copy licensing system that supports the educational and creative community.

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LE GIANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ung-ho-ai-nhung-dung-huy-hoai-cac-nganh-van-hoa-20251022161637897.htm