The federal government has pledged to strengthen copyright laws to protect Australian creatives against "theft," to block AI companies using their work without consent, compensation or credit.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese addressed the enforcement of existing Australian copyright law, warning that allowing AI companies to set the terms would leave artists, writers and journalists without adequate protection.
He firmly rejected demands by AI companies for a free content kick when it comes to using content to train their machines.
“No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control," he said in a speech at the University of Sydney..
“That includes the artist’s control of the price and value of their work. Anything less, is theft.”
Australia would put in place the strongest possible protection for its artists and media.
"The best way to secure the strongest copyright protections for Australian artists is for Australia to be active and involved to build the best possible solution for ourselves and to preserve the creativity that is fundamental to who we are, to our national identity, and the journalism that is essential to our democratic society," Albanese said.
Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, urged the government to move quickly.
"The prime minister has set out a path for Australia to lead the world in AI innovation, infrastructure and intellectual property," said Miller.
"I urge the government to turn this framework into action, to move fast and deliver for the nation."
Creatives applauded Albanese.
“The government’s vision on AI and copyright today will protect the opportunities for future generations of authors and illustrators,” said Australian Society of Authors CEO Lucy Hayward.
“The prime minister has put it plainly - authors’ and illustrators’ work is their property. AI companies must seek permission and offer payment for any use of that work. Anything less is theft.
“The government has been consistent on copyright and the expectation has been made clear: AI developers must respect creators’ rights.
“And yet, instead of commencing negotiations with creators and rightsholders, multinational AI companies have continued to lobby in Canberra for changes to our law, using data centre investment as leverage.
“The reluctance of AI companies to work with the creative industries on licensing solutions is slowing us down and hampering the government’s efforts to plan for our future.”
The government will also introduce a set of Australian Standards for AI, building on existing data centre expectations, and establish an Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“Effective today, I am establishing the Office of AI in my own department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet," said Albanese.
“It will work closely with the minister for industry and innovation, Tim Ence, and the assistant minister for science, technology, and the digital economy, Andrew Charlton, to coordinate the design of our new Australian standards and to bring together the work that ministers right across the government are undertaking.
“The minister for climate change and energy is working with his state and territory counterparts and energy market bodies.
“The attorney general, who is with us today, has been facilitating the consultation on copyright and artist protections where AI training is involved.
“The treasurer will have responsibility for the absolutely pivotal role of AI in our productivity agenda. The minister for employment is engaging with employers, workers, and unions on AI's role in the workplace.
“The minister for employment is engaging with employers, workers, and unions on AI's role in the workplace, and the Education Minister is meeting with his counterparts literally today to discuss the impact of AI in schools.
“This is in addition to the ongoing work in everything from the design of our digital duty of care by the communications minister, to the risks that chatbots pose to children, to the intersection of AI and skills and manufacturing, and importantly, work that the defence minister is leading AI in defence and national security."
Annabelle Herd, CEO at Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), said the prime minister could not have been clearer.
“Australian writers and musicians keep ownership and control of their work. Artists control what that work is worth, not the Government and not a technology company," said Herd.
“Control of price, value and terms of use are what underpin a commercial licensing market. The artist decides what their work is worth and who may use it.
"That is how licensing works everywhere else in the world and it is how it should work here. In the Prime Minister’s words: anything less is theft.
“This is clear message to AI companies: now is the time to get on with licensing. Right now deals are being signed across music, journalism and publishing around the world. Australia’s creative industries are ready do business."
Claire Pullen, CEO of the Australian Writers Guild and Authorship Collecting Society Australia Aotearoa, said with the governments support of creatives, Australia would be ready for the AI opportunities ahead.
"They are an opportunity to create new markets, to add to the billions creative workers generate for our economy, and they are an important statement about our sovereignty and our values," said Pullen.
"Today, our Prime Minister made it clear that theft of creative works is unacceptable and that Australia is ready for the opportunities ahead.
"We look forward to working with the Office of AI and our industry to ensure Australian creators remain in control of their work, and can be part of a framework where consent, credit and compensation are the pillars."
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