Can copyrighted works be used to train AI? The Singapore Government wants your say
The Singapore Government is seeking public feedback on AI’s impact on copyrights and patents.
The Singapore Government is seeking public input on the use of copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence (AI) models, as well as how copyright protection should adapt in light of this technology. This comes amid a surge in lawsuits filed globally by rights holders who claim many companies have infringed their copyrights by utilizing copyrighted materials to train AI without permission or compensation. The government aims to foster clarity and accountability in this evolving area of law.
The consultation, launched on August 26 by the Ministry of Law and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), will explore how copyrights can be preserved when used to train AI. It follows a series of rulings in different jurisdictions regarding whether such unauthorized use constitutes copyright infringement. For instance, in the United States, Anthropic, an AI firm, was ordered to pay over USD 1.5 billion to authors whose works were used without consent to train its AI.
However, the same court found no infringement when Anthropic scanned and destroyed old books for content, as the act was deemed transformative and fair use.
Minister for Law Edwin Tong, speaking at the Global Forum on Intellectual Property, highlighted that the issue of AI using copyrighted material to train models is becoming more prevalent due to AI's growing capabilities and demand for more content. He stressed the importance of distinguishing authentic human creativity from automated processes, and the need for a balanced approach that protects creators while promoting innovation.
The consultation aims to gather stakeholder input, particularly from those in the creative industries, on how to address these challenges. It also seeks feedback on how existing patent principles apply to AI-generated inventions and the impact of large-scale publication of AI-generated technical disclosures, which may include proprietary information.
The public consultation can be accessed at go.gov.sg/ai-ip2026, with submissions due by October 22 at 5 PM.
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