IPR research on artificial intelligence and digital technologies

The current research by both Professor Taina Pihlajarinne and Dr Rosa-Maria Ballardini focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies –  industrial internet (II) and 3D printing (3DP) etc.) – on the intellectual property system. These new technologies raise fundamental questions related to the core aims and elements of IPR, such as what kind of fundamental IPR-structures could be optimal in striking a balance between diverse legitimate interests in new situations. Core issues relate to exclusive rights in the process of human-machine co-creation and co-innovation in context of AI, as well as the regulation of information.

Notably, technologies such AI, II and 3DP drastically increase the amount of data that exists in the digital ecosystem. To encourage these technologies to grow in a stable, socially-desirable manner, it is vital to consider how data and information should be regulated. The path that will be chosen by EU-regulator concerning the structure of the IPR system is of utmost importance in achieving adaptability in front of new technologies. Should we, for instance, create coherence by flexible rules linked with fundamental principles, or shall we continue adopting narrow-scoped, fragmented rights and provisions?

At present, Pihlajarinne is professor of copyright law at the University of Helsinki. She leads three ongoing research projects focusing on digital content creation and distribution from copyright, competition law and contract law perspectives on one hand (funded by Academy of Finland, among others) and on legal aspects of AI on the other (funded by Helsingin Sanomat foundation).

Ballardini (University of Lapland) is currently the PI of a multidisciplinary Consortium in the field of industrial internet financed by Tekes and a senior researcher in a project on innovation and bio-economy funded by the Finnish Government. Previously, she has been inter alia the PI in a multidisciplinary Consortium on 3D printing funded by Tekes (2015/2017).

Pihlajarinne’s and Ballardini’s research teams are in continuous co-operation. Their projects will, for instance, arrange a joint seminar on AI and IPRs in June as a part of IPR Summer School organised by the IPR University Center.