Source: The Guardian

The Guardian reports on a major conflict in Australia over artificial intelligence and copyright law. The tech industry, represented by bodies like the Tech Council of Australia, is lobbying for a "text and data mining" exemption that would allow AI companies to legally use copyrighted material to train their models. They argue this is crucial to unlock billions of dollars in foreign investment for datacentres. This push has sparked outrage among Australian creatives, including authors like Anna Funder, artists, and musicians, who argue their work is being stolen and their livelihoods are under threat.

The issue has created a significant split within the Albanese Labor government. Ministers such as Tim Ayres and Andrew Charlton are reportedly enthusiastic about attracting AI investment, while Attorney General Michelle Rowland and Arts Minister Tony Burke are determined to protect the rights of creators. While the government has publicly ruled out weakening copyright laws and stated its preference for paid licensing agreements, persistent lobbying and a whistleblower's tip to Senator David Pocock have fueled fears of a potential reversal.

These fears were amplified by reports of a proposed "dirty deal" where a copyright carve-out would be exchanged for at least $50 billion in datacentre investment. Although the government has denied these claims, the report notes that AI company Anthropic is allegedly pushing for such a deal. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to deliver a major speech on AI, the creative sector is demanding that the government hold its ground and not trade away copyright protections for economic promises from big tech.