The article explores the intersection of copyright and AI in the context of EU enlargement, focusing on Ukraine, with which the EU opened accession negotiations in 2024. Aligning national law with the EU acquis, including stringent IP rules, is both a legal obligation and an economic opportunity for candidate countries. A robust copyright regime would support investment and Ukraine’s integration into the EU Single Market. As AI reshapes IP law, a cohesive regulatory framework becomes essential. Despite the EU’s adoption of the AI Act, significant gaps persist regarding AI and copyright. The EU’s 2025 “AI Continent Action Plan” stresses the role of candidate countries in advancing safe and trustworthy AI. The article identifies these gaps and outlines possible regulatory solutions for the EU and Ukraine.