Australian creatives are urging the government to establish ethical standards for artificial intelligence (AI) development, particularly concerning copyright protections. The call comes in response to the government’s decision to prohibit developers from mining creative works without compensation or permission. This initiative aims to safeguard the rights of writers, musicians, and other artists while addressing the emerging challenges posed by AI in the creative sector.
To facilitate this process, the government has formed the Copyright and AI Reference Group (CAIRG), which will include representatives from both the creative and technology sectors. The group will focus on three key areas: fair use of copyright material in AI applications, the potential creation of a paid collective licensing framework, and enforcement mechanisms to protect creators’ rights. The objective is to ensure that Australia is well-equipped to handle future copyright issues that arise due to AI, while also promoting innovative uses of copyrighted material.
Strong criticism has emerged regarding current AI practices. According to Lucy Hayward, Chief Executive of the Australian Society of Authors, the development of AI systems has been described as “the greatest act of copyright theft in history.” She emphasized the lack of transparency from tech companies, noting that AI tools have been trained on vast amounts of data sourced from the internet, including potentially pirated content. “Authors should have the right to say yes or no for how their work is used and to be compensated fairly if they agree that their work can be used,” she stated.
Hayward highlighted that this moment represents a landmark opportunity for the government to set a sustainable standard for AI development in Australia. She remarked, “(Creators’) work is being relied upon to fuel some of the most transformative technology in generations. It is only fair that they should be compensated for their work.”
The tech industry has voiced its desire for a broad text and data mining exception in Australian copyright law. Such an exception would permit AI developers to utilize the works of Australian creators for free, without requiring permission. Hayward argued that this would effectively give AI developers a “free pass” and would legitimize the copyright infringements that have already occurred. In response to these concerns, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland stated that the government has ruled out any exceptions and does not intend to weaken copyright protections related to AI.
Rowland acknowledged the significant opportunities AI presents for Australia and its economy but stressed the necessity for Australian creatives to benefit from these advancements. “The tech industry and the creative sector must come together and find sensible and workable solutions to support innovation while ensuring creators are compensated,” she said.
The APRA AMCOS chief executive, Dean Ormston, representing over 128,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers across Australasia, expressed a readiness to collaborate constructively with tech companies to develop a licensing agreement. He criticized tech platforms for seeking jurisdictions that would dilute copyright legislation, allowing them to profit from creators’ cultural intellectual property without fair compensation. “It’s time for tech companies to stop delaying and start licensing discussions covering both the input and output of creative materials in AI platforms,” Ormston concluded.
As Australia navigates the complexities of AI and copyright, the collaboration between creatives and the technology sector will be crucial in shaping a fair and equitable framework that protects the rights of artists while fostering innovation.
