• Tanzania’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, it only recognizes works made by human beings.
• The government  is reviewing its own laws to address challenges including AI.

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Dar es Salaam. In Tanzania, a quiet revolution is happening. It’s not in the streets, but in studios and on laptops. Artists are no longer working alone. They are working with machines. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a partner in creating music, videos, and art.

This is a powerful new trend. Musicians, scriptwriters, and designers use AI to find ideas. They use it to speed up their work. The creative process is changing fast.

But while the tools are advancing, the country’s legal system has yet to catch up.

Tanzania’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, the main law that protects creative ownership, was written long before AI became part of everyday life. First enacted in 1999 and last revised in 2001, it only recognizes works made by human beings, either individuals or companies. It doesn’t mention machines or AI-generated content.

That legal silence can create confusion. It assumes a person is behind every creative work. But what happens when an AI writes part of your song or designs your album cover? Right now, there’s no clear answer. 

And that uncertainty is growing. Musicians are using AI platforms to build beats in seconds. Visual artists explore digital programs to craft images. Content creators rely on chatbots to translate captions, write scripts, or brainstorm concepts. Even local influencers are blending AI-generated content with their own personal style to engage wider audiences.

One of them is Rodgers George, a Tanzanian musician and digital content producer. 

“I use AI to generate ideas, lyrics, melodies but I’m not relying solely on AI, because music is a result of human feelings,” he says. “But I wonder if I want to register this with the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA), will they accept it if part of it came from AI?”

COSOTA is the body responsible for registering and protecting creative works does not directly cover AI-generated works.

Diamond Platnumz, one of the famous artists in Africa perform at Wasafi Festival 2023 in Ruangwa, Lindi. Photo| Global Publishers.

It’s not just a Tanzanian issue

Around the world, governments are racing to respond. In the United State of America (USA), for example, copyright law only protects AI-assisted works if a human played a significant creative role. In the United Kingdom (UK), computer-generated works can be protected under specific terms, though for a shorter period. 

Kenya is reviewing its own laws to address challenges brought by AI in creative production and data use.

Beyond authorship, AI raises even bigger questions. What happens when an AI is trained using thousands of existing songs, artworks, or scripts, many of them by Tanzanian creators without their knowledge or permission? Who gets credited or paid when that training data shapes a new product?

Intellectual Property legal expert, Addo Mwasonge, says the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced new challenges in the implementation of the law, particularly in protecting artists’ rights.

“Nowadays, artists are creating works with the help of AI, which raises the question — whose rights should be protected in such circumstances? Because there are also AI companies involved in generating the content,” says Mwasonge.

Mwasonge, who is also the President of the Music Federation of Tanzania (SHIMUTA), says they have started holding meetings with stakeholders to discuss ways of developing a sustainable solution that aligns with the changes brought by AI, which directly impacts the creative industry.

These discussions are part of broader efforts to review and improve the Tanzania Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act of 1999 to reflect the realities of the present time.

Is high time for copyright laws to recognize AI-generated music? Photo | Periodico Digital.

Some AI experts urge institutions like COSOTA, local universities, and innovation hubs to lead the way in educating creatives about their rights and the risks in the age of AI.

The Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, while presenting his ministry’s budget for the 2025/26 financial year in Parliament in Dodoma recently, said the Government is reviewing laws to strengthen COSOTA in line with current developments.

These legal reforms may provide a new direction for protecting artistic works, especially those created using AI.

Internationally, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has produced guidance papers and launched consultations on AI and intellectual property though implementation at the national level remains slow.

The guidelines emphasize the need for legal clarity, fairness, and international cooperation, while noting that current laws were not designed with AI in mind. WIPO encourages member states to consider policy options and stakeholder input to ensure IP systems remain effective and inclusive in the AI era.

Meanwhile, creators like Rodgers George keep experimenting. They share songs, videos, and designs with growing global audiences not always knowing how much of their work is legally protected, or whether it could be used by others without credit or payment.

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Should artists wait for legal reforms to protect their works?

While stakeholders and the government are reviewing the law to make improvements that align with the current situation, artists are encouraged to register as a way to protect their intellectual property rights. 

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Suleimani Jafo, has called on artists to register their stage names with Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) as trademarks and their creative works with COSOTA to ensure legal protection.

Dr Jafo made the call while officiating the national commemoration of World Intellectual Property Day held on May 21, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, under the theme: “Music and Intellectual Property: Feel the Beat of Innovation.”

“This registration provides a strong foundation for income generation and doing business in accordance with laws, regulations, and procedures,” said the Minister.

He noted that in the past, many artists lost their rights despite producing great work simply because they did not follow proper procedures.

Registration not only provides legal recognition of ownership but also strengthens a creator’s ability to claim compensation, defend against infringement, and benefit from licensing opportunities. 

By taking this step, artists, musicians, writers, and other content creators can better secure their rights and future earnings, especially as emerging technologies like AI continue to reshape the creative landscape.