Protect intellectual property; let AI flourish responsibly

Artificial intelligence is now a force reshaping how value is created, owned, and shared.

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As the international community marks World Intellectual Property Day today and the Philippines steps into a leadership role in ASEAN's push for stronger intellectual property (IP) valuation and commercialization, the challenge is clear. Creators must be protected without suffocating innovation. Addressing the challenge lies not in restriction, but in building guardrails that allow AI to flourish responsibly.

At the core of this issue is the reality that IP systems were designed for a world where humans were the sole creators. Today, algorithms generate art, compose music, write code, and design products. This shift blurs the line between tool and creator, raising difficult questions about ownership, attribution, and fair use. If left unaddressed, these ambiguities could erode trust in IP systems and discourage both human creativity and technological progress.

Government action must, therefore, be both decisive and forward-looking.