Ironing out AI creases will help sector grow

On domestic video-sharing app Bilibili, an AI clone based on pop singer Stefanie Sun's characteristics displayed such excellent singing skills that people could hardly distinguish it from the real singer.

A company has introduced a new service called AI clones of stars, in which a user can talk to an AI clone of their idol both in audio and video medium, while The Washington Post reported in April that many Americans have turned to chatbots for "emotional support, companionship and even sexual gratification".

This is doubtlessly good news for consumers, as the idols they worship can now take the form of a friend who is available on their smartphone. However, for those who legislate rules for society, this might raise some new challenges.

For example, how does one make sure that the AI singer doesn't violate the real singer's copyright? Its excellent singing skills might have been derived by taking a combination of singing styles, say one tone picked up from singer A and another from singer B. Demarcating the boundary clearly is not going to be an easy job.

Further, how does one define chatbots in law? If a chatbot creates a sentence then who owns the copyright of that sentence? Also, if someone falls in love with a chatbot and then decides to marry the latter, will there be any legal safeguards?

These challenges should not hinder AI's technological progress. On the contrary, the AI sector should rise to the challenges, solve these problems and address people's concerns. The AI sector is already prospering and ironing out the creases will go a long way in sustaining that prosperity.