Why AI is Significant to Namibia as a Developing Country

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform industries and improve the daily lives of Namibians.

This cannot be overstated.

It is worth noting that AI improves efficiency by automating everyday jobs and analysing data.

Thus, AI is an essential drive for innovation through the development of intelligent systems and advanced capabilities of human nature.

AI is significant in empowering personalisation, improving healthcare outcomes, enhancing safety and security measures, increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, contributing to sustainability exertions, aiding in decision-making processes, transforming the education system and supporting the scientific exploration and discovery of the evolving world.

The magnitude of AI lies in its proficiency to drive innovation, improve efficiency, enhance personalisation and transform numerous industries.

AI AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The link relating to AI and intellectual property (IP) is becoming increasingly imperative, and AI can produce valuable IP.

However, AI also appears challenging in terms of IP ownership and protection.

Several matters are arising regarding the ownership of AI-produced works, the patentability of AI creations, determining authorship for copyright protection, the ownership and protection of data used by AI, trade secrets associated with AI algorithms, licensing and collaboration arrangements and ethical considerations.

Therefore, businesses, innovators, and policymakers must adapt IP laws to address these challenges and effect a balance concerning incentivising innovation, protecting IP rights and addressing ethical concerns.

THREATS

It is worth noting that AI may infringe on existing IP rights, such as copyright, patents, and trademarks, by copying, reproducing, or modifying the protected works or inventions without the consent or authorisation of the rights holders.

Furthermore, AI may create new IP inventions that are not eligible for protection under the current IP laws and frameworks, such as inventions produced by algorithms and machines without human intervention and input.

Subsequently, AI may advance ethical, cultural, and social issues correlated to the attribution, ownership, and responsibility of the IP inventions created and influenced by AI, such as who should be credited, rewarded, or liable for AI-generated or AI-assisted products.

AI may pose a threat to the national security, sovereignty, and development of the economy of Namibia, especially if the AI technologies and applications are developed or controlled by foreign entities or interests that may not align with Namibian values, goals, or interests.

OPPORTUNITIES

On the other hand, AI is expressive and may enhance the creation, use and protection of IP, by facilitating innovation, research and development engagements, while enlightening the quality and efficiency of the IP registration and enforcement systems, such as increasing the accessibility and distribution of IP inventions.

Moreover, AI may foster the development and competitiveness of the Namibian economy and society by aiding the diversification, modernisation and transformation of numerous sectors and industries, such as agriculture, education, culture, mining, health, tourism and generating new markets, products, and services that could produce value and benefits for the Namibian people.

Hence, AI may subsidise the implementation and realisation of the National Intellectual Property Policy, through the auxiliary integration of IP into the national and sectoral development strategies, by consolidating the IP legal framework and establishments, promoting IP awareness and education, which is a major concern for the Business and Intellectual Property Authority and Namibia at large and enhancing IP cooperation and collaboration at regional and international level.

AI and IP are significant and relevant topics for Namibia.

They demand careful and strategic consideration and management by the Namibian government, stakeholders and society at large.

• Maria Namhindo is a retirement fund consultant with NMG Benefits.
• She holds a master’s degree in management, has specialised in intellectual property, and has a master’s degree of science in economics, specialising in corporate finance and investment, as well as managerial economics.