The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) was extensively discussed by experts at a seminar on AI, digital technology, and intellectual property protection in cinema, held as part of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) 2026. The event brought together representatives from various fields, including law, technology, film businesses, and state management agencies.

Doctor Bui Thi Bich Lien, a law lecturer at FPT University, noted that applying AI in cinema raises numerous issues within current legislation. According to her, the two key legal documents in this area are the Law on Intellectual Property and the Law on Cinema. The Law on Intellectual Property stipulates that copyright arises when a work is created and expressed in a specific form. However, current regulations are primarily based on human activity, which creates difficulties in determining who holds copyright protection when AI participates in the creative process.

The first issue concerns ownership rights for works incorporating AI elements. AI can participate at various levels, from partial assistance to generating a significant portion of the content. This complicates identifying human creative contributions as a basis for copyright protection and determining the scope of that protection. Without demonstrable human creative involvement, filmmakers and businesses may face challenges in registering, exploiting, and protecting rights to their works.

Another challenge relates to rights concerning personal images and identity. From 2026, new AI regulations mandate transparency for AI-generated or simulated content involving real people, including labeling and control mechanisms. However, deepfake technology and AI voice impersonation pose practical issues, making it difficult to identify acts of copying, the extent of infringement, and the liability of content distribution platforms.

Doctor Bui Thi Bich Lien at the seminar on the afternoon of 30/6 in Da Nang. Photo: *Organizing Committee*

Echoing concerns from a business perspective, Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy Lien, CEO of Vin Studio, stated that a lack of clear guidelines poses significant risks for production companies making long-term investments in intellectual property (IP). A project is typically exploited over many years through sequels, derivative products, or licensing. Therefore, without a clear legal basis to determine copyright for AI-assisted products, businesses are hesitant to invest and develop IP strategies. While AI models can shorten production times and reduce operating costs, they can still make errors, particularly when using international platforms to recreate history or culture.

To mitigate negative impacts, speakers proposed several copyright protection solutions. Doctor Bich Lien emphasized that issuing guiding legal documents is a crucial step. In Vietnam, after a law or decree is enacted, functional agencies develop further documents to clarify its application in specific cases. Given the rapid advancement of AI, early guidance will facilitate implementation for businesses and creators, while reducing complications in investing in and exploiting intellectual property.

When resolving disputes, competent authorities need a unified set of criteria to assess the extent of human contribution throughout the entire process. For example, relevant departments should clearly define the level of human involvement required for a work to qualify for protection and mandate producers to be transparent about AI-assisted stages. Additionally, she proposed strengthening sanctions against digital copyright infringement and issuing guidelines for creators to retain evidence of their AI application process.

Professor Ho Tu Bao, Director of the Data Science Laboratory at the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM), suggested that Vietnam needs to invest in three foundational elements: data, algorithms, and computing infrastructure. Instead of competing to develop large-scale AI models like many countries, the domestic market should focus on building specialized models for cinema and language. These models require training on systematically digitized and managed cultural, historical, and cinematic data repositories. He believes this approach will not only enhance technology quality but also help protect cultural data from being diluted or copied by foreign systems.

Some speakers at the seminar on 30/6, from left: Professor Ho Tu Bao, Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy Lien, and Ms. Phan Cam Tu – Standing Committee Member of the Vietnam Cinema Development Promotion Association. Photo: *Organizing Committee*

Responding to the seminar's discussions, Master Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), stated that the concerns raised by attendees would be taken into account by management agencies during the refinement of copyright policies. She advised creators to proactively document their entire AI workflow, including command creation, data selection, and output editing, to provide evidence of human creative input should copyright disputes arise.

A step forward in completing the legal framework is Decree 134/2026/ND-CP, the first document in Vietnam regulating creative activities using artificial intelligence. Specifically, a work will only receive copyright protection if the creator can demonstrate their role in controlling, directing, and making decisions during the AI usage process.

The decree also requires copyright registrants to be transparent about the creative process. Stages involving generative AI technology must be clearly stated for management agencies to determine the scope of protection. Furthermore, the decree introduces, for the first time, a mechanism for managing data usage for artificial intelligence training. The exploitation of lawfully published works for non-commercial research or educational purposes is permitted without requiring permission from the owner. If data is used for commercial purposes, AI development organizations must have a copyright agreement or implement a licensing and payment mechanism for rights holders.

Also during the discussion, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Huy Dung observed that technological advancements are transitioning cinema from an era of scarce tools to one of abundant creative capacity. Therefore, professionals in the field need to broaden their approach, moving beyond just film production to creating long-term valuable cinematic assets. A film does not end when it leaves theaters but continues its life across digital platforms, television, education, tourism, music, games, and international exchange.

"No matter how much AI develops, humans remain the center of cinema. It cannot replace filmmakers telling Vietnamese stories. However, it can help us perform better if we master the technology and protect creative value," Deputy Minister Nguyen Huy Dung said.

Cat Tien