Anwar wants laws to protect local creative works from AI threats
This, said Anwar, was crucial to ensure local content is safeguarded from various threats, particularly as the country navigates challenges arising from the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).
"The (copyright) guarantee must not only apply to cartoonists, but also to films, poetry, and other works that sometimes (could) cripple the strength of creativity and an artist's ability to create.
"As such, there must also be legal provisions by the Digital Ministry and the Communications Ministry to ensure that our country's (creative work) does not simply follow the mould set by others, only to then become trapped, losing our identity, values, and the virtues that should be nurtured here," he said.
Anwar said this in his speech during the launch of the book "Melukis dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun" by Zunar here today.
He said ethical and cultural considerations, as well as values, must be central to the nation's AI development policy.
"In our national policy on AI, we do not sideline or separate the issue of values. And it's quite interesting and well-known that with companies like Infineon, Google, Microsoft - whenever I meet their leaders, I always ask them: how should they respond?
"Without exception, they all admit that AI is a new technology. But they also acknowledge that whatever is produced or 'spit out' by AI depends on what is fed into it.
"And what is being fed into it right now through ChatGPT and other platforms is largely shaped by Western countries, especially the United States, China, and others.
"So, if we want to ensure that AI also emphasises the question of values and addresses concerns in line with our religious beliefs, our faith, our culture, and our diversity, then we must train our children in the field of AI, including those who aspire to be cartoonists," he said.
He said they must first master the knowledge, and then incorporate elements of culture, religion, and values, so that what is produced by these machines reflects the Malaysian perspective.
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