ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LEGAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE IN NIGERIA: NEED FOR INTEGRATION

Abstract

In the dynamic landscape of legal education and practice, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping the field. This paper investigates the intersection of AI and intellectual property (IP) within Nigeria’s legal framework, analyzing the impact of AI on the creation, protection, and enforcement of IP rights, while highlighting the opportunities and challenges it presents. AI technologies, which are now capable of generating artworks, music, and inventions, raise important questions about authorship and ownership, leading to complex legal debates on how IP rights should be attributed to AI systems. The paper examines these legal complexities and explores the potential need for legislative reforms to address these emerging issues. Additionally, the paper assesses the role of AI in enhancing IP protection, focusing on its ability to improve patent searches, trademark examinations, and copyright infringement detection. These advancements offer the potential to increase the efficiency and accuracy of IP offices, reducing backlogs and strengthening IP enforcement in Nigeria. Ethical and practical concerns are also discussed, including biases in AI algorithms, data privacy challenges, and the risk of AI-generated works infringing on existing IP rights. In the realm of legal education, the paper highlights the necessity of integrating AI and IP law into curricula to prepare future legal professionals with the knowledge and skills needed in this evolving field. An interdisciplinary approach that blends legal, technological, and ethical perspectives is recommended.