Pocock says Labor easing copyright protections for AI datacentre investment would throw creatives ‘under the bus’

The Albanese government is contemplating granting AI firms access to Australian creatives' works by default, as the nation seeks a compromise with American tech giants, according to reports. Senior personnel from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, met with Labor ministers to caution that Australia's copyright laws obstruct the training of models locally.

Independent senator David Pocock denounced the proposed compromise, stating it would jeopardize protections for creators and copyright holders in favor of AI companies. Pocock argued that the burden should not be placed on Australians to defend their rights over content they create and own. The proposal, outlined in a document titled "AI on Australian Terms," suggests AI companies would gain the right to access and train models on any unprotected online material, provided they negotiate deals with sufficient businesses or rightsholder organizations.

Labor's industry minister, Tim Ayres, insisted the government's forthcoming AI rules would not diminish copyright protection. However, the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young deemed the copyright compromise suggestions "abhorrent," emphasizing that every Australian deserves to be compensated for their work.