The battle to protect the livelihoods of Africa’s content creators has a new ally: artificial intelligence. AI tools can detect and track content piracy in real time a game-changer for the film and TV industry.

The war against content piracy has a powerful new weapon in its arsenal: artificial intelligence. The latest powerful application of AI and machine-learning technology is in the campaign to track down pirated versions of digital content, and to support prosecutions of the criminal syndicates that deal in that content.

This is particularly relevant in Africa, where content creators, as well as police, the courts and copyright-enforcement agencies have limited resources.

For decades, criminals have been violating copyright, almost with impunity stealing content and making a profit from it. At the same time, content creators and all the professionals who work in these industries, have seen resources dwindle, because they are being deprived of legitimate income from their work.

Now, AI promises to do the work of thousands of cybersecurity agents. AI tools can detect illicit copies of licensed content, then tracing their provenance and tracking down the criminals responsible as well as the users that stream this stolen content.

Africa’s relatively weak cybersecurity protection has long made it an attractive target for content piracy, while the continent’s billion-strong population represents a lucrative market for pirated films, shows, music and sports content.

Now, technological advancements in the AI space, mean African content will no longer be such easy pickings for criminal syndicates.

Cybersecurity organisation Irdeto can identify content-piracy syndicates working in Africa, and to track them down wherever they are in the world through law-enforcement networks, as well as the latest AI-supported technology.

“Piracy is often a multi-level operation, with global and regional headquarters, as well as regional resellers,” says Irdeto director of broadcast cybersecurity and anti-piracy Frikkie Jonker. “It is now also possible for content owners and police to identify criminals at every level of these operations, as well as those who consume pirated content.”

Irdeto uses technologies such as forensic watermarking; digital-rights management (DRM) and application code protection and obfuscation; to protect its clients’ copyrighted content.

In the case of breaches, or streaming hacks, Irdeto deploys AI, in parallel with open-source intelligence gathering (OSIJNT) to track where these violations originate from.

The use of AI and machine-learning applications mean that this process can be done at scale, and at almost instantaneous speed.

A stream of content from a sports event such as the Football World Cup, or the Olympic Games can be invisibly watermarked. Any pirate streams that then share the same content will automatically trigger an instant notification. From there, rightsholders can decide what action to follow issue a take-down notice, or contact law-enforcement.

Where previously, fighting piracy was a laborious, drawn-out process, now it can happen in real time.

AI and machine learning also have massive data-analytics capabilities, which may soon allow rights-holders to not just identify piracy, but also predict where it is likely to occur. By analysing user demographics, viewing habits, and market trends, AI can locate potential piracy hotspots and emerging distribution channels as they take shape.

Rights holders would then be able to develop targeted strategies to combat piracy effectively in problem territories.

Another way that AI can help to address content piracy is by identifying consumer trends, and then using algorithms to tailor content and pricing strategies to suit target audiences. When users can get the high-quality, original content they enjoy most, at the ideal price point, they become less likely to seek out pirate versions.

Clamping down on content piracy is about protecting the welfare of creators, producers, as well as rightsholders and preserving thousands of creative-sector jobs across Africa.

Human passion and commitment will always be a key part of the battle against piracy. However, now technology offers a range of highly effective tools that can support the dedicated men and women fighting to protect the livelihoods of Africa’s film and TV professionals. The battle can be won, and AI can help to win it.