SA exploring more opportunities in its creative economy
Tang says WIPO sees AI and IP not as a challenge but rather as an opportunity.
South Africa is actively seeking to expand opportunities within its creative economy, as the nation deals with unemployment, especially among the youth. WIPO Director-General Daren Tang is currently in the country to explore how intellectual property can foster innovation, employment, and economic growth. According to Tang, "The creative economy in South Africa provides employment to about a million people and it’s about 4% of GDP.
And increasingly when you talk about the creative economy, we’re also talking about the digital economy, because creatives are using digital technologies to create and consume content."
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the creation and distribution of creative content, questions surrounding copyright and intellectual property are becoming more pressing. Tang emphasizes that WIPO views AI and intellectual property not as a hindrance, but as a chance. He explains that WIPO's collaboration with member states, including South Africa, focuses on "how do we help ensure that AI can support the next wave, the next generation of human creators, but not to replace them."
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
