{"id":20477,"date":"2025-04-28T08:16:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T12:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/stage-research\/?p=20477"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:50:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:50:27","slug":"creativity-in-the-age-of-ai-conversation-with-head-of-u-s-copyright-office-and-unc-charlotte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/stage-research\/2025\/04\/28\/creativity-in-the-age-of-ai-conversation-with-head-of-u-s-copyright-office-and-unc-charlotte\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Creativity in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Head of U.S. Copyright Office at UNC Charlotte"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What does it mean to be a human creator in a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in the creative process? This question took center stage on April 2, 2025, when UNC Charlotte\u2019s Division of Research Office of Commercialization and Partnerships, in collaboration with the College of Arts + Architecture hosted, \u201cAI & Copyright \u2013 The Future of Creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The morning began with a welcome from Dr. Deborah Thomas, associate vice chancellor for research, who underscored the significance of the event for the UNC Charlotte community. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Thomas emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the conversation, noting that AI\u2019s rapid integration into everyday life affects every field\u2014from the arts to computer science and engineering. She encouraged the audience to engage deeply with the discussion, emphasizing the rare opportunity to gain insights from two leading figures in copyright, trademark, and intellectual property policy\u2014Shira Perlmutter and Laura Peter. \u201cTheir perspectives on the fast-paced evolution of AI and its implications for creativity and policy are invaluable,\u201d Dr. Thomas shared, setting the stage for a robust dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fireside Chat: Shira Perlmutter on AI and Copyright<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Following Dr. Thomas’ remarks, the event progressed to a Fireside Chat between Shira Perlmutter, register of copyrights and director of the U.S. Copyright Office, and Laura Peter, executive director of UNC Charlotte\u2019s Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perlmutter, recognized nationally as a leader in copyright law and former chief policy officer at the USPTO, offered an insider\u2019s view on the U.S. Copyright Office\u2019s ongoing work to clarify authorship standards in the era of generative AI. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In conversation with Peter, whose own career bridges innovation, law, and policy, the two explored the U.S. Copyright Office\u2019s recently released report, \u201cCopyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability\u201d<\/a> (January 2025), which affirms that copyright protection depends on whether a human has contributed \u201csufficient expressive elements,\u201d and that a prompt to an artificial intelligence engine, no matter how elaborate, is not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe centrality of human creativity remains the foundation of copyright protection,\u201d Perlmutter explained. She referenced the U.S. Copyright Office Review Board\u2019s decision on Jason M. Allen\u2019s \u201cTh\u00e9\u00e2tre D\u2019op\u00e9ra Spatial\u201d<\/em>, noting that the AI-generated content was ineligible for copyright due to insufficient human involvement. She emphasized that while AI tools may be used in the creative process, it is the human author\u2019s distinct contributions, including creative choices, modifications, and curation, that determine copyright eligibility. She also shared that existing law is sufficiently adaptable to accommodate AI without the need for new legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter guided the conversation toward practical implications, asking how professionals in artistic and creative industries\u2014artists, architects, developers\u2014can navigate this legal gray area. Perlmutter stressed the importance of transparency and documentation, advising creators to clearly articulate their human input when registering works. Their dialogue explored not only the boundaries of authorship and fair use but also the broader implications for innovation, ownership, and accountability in an AI-powered world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Panel Discussion: Diverse Faculty Perspectives on AI\u2019s Impact<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The conversation continued with a panel discussion moderated by Arnetta Girardeau, J.D.<\/strong>, copyright advisor at UNC Charlotte\u2019s Atkins Library. The panel brought together interdisciplinary voices from across campus to discuss how AI is transforming their respective fields:<\/p>\n\n\n\n