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Artists seek 'seat at table' in AI office

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Australian artists are seeking representation in the new government office for artificial intelligence to influence its development.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged that creators will retain control over how their work is used to train AI, easing copyright concerns.
  • The government is also establishing mandatory rules for data centers' water and power usage and a coordinated approach to AI challenges.

Australian artists are advocating for a "seat at the table" within the newly established Office for Artificial Intelligence, aiming to shape the technology's impact on the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured the creative industries that writers and musicians will maintain control over the use of their work in training AI systems.

It feels like a very important step change for the Australian government in how it's approaching and considering AI as a whole of economy, whole of government, whole of society issue.

— Annabelle HerdCEO of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) on the significance of the new AI office.

This commitment addresses industry fears that the federal government might weaken copyright laws to attract data center investment. Albanese announced plans for mandatory rules governing water and power consumption for data centers, alongside a more coordinated strategy for addressing other AI-related challenges through the new office within his department.

In a Sydney speech, Albanese promised that Australian laws would clearly outline protections for creatives who permit AI training on their content. He also indicated further developments regarding copyright issues. Annabelle Herd, CEO of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), expressed hope for the creative sector's input into the Office of AI, viewing it as a significant shift in the government's approach to AI as a whole-of-economy, government, and society issue.

Given our content is what powers a lot of these tools and makes them amazing, because our content is amazing, we'd very much like to have a seat at the table going forward.

— Annabelle HerdAnnabelle Herd expressing the creative sector's desire for involvement in AI policy.

"Given our content is what powers a lot of these tools and makes them amazing, because our content is amazing, we'd very much like to have a seat at the table going forward," Herd stated. She emphasized that the sector wants to facilitate AI training in Australia, clarifying that copyright does not prevent AI training but requires licensing. Herd believes further discussions could lead to adjustments in enforcement or dispute resolution, potentially including a small claims court for easier copyright enforcement for Australian rights holders.

Copyright doesn't prevent AI training … it simply requires that you need to get a license to do it.

— Annabelle HerdAnnabelle Herd clarifying the relationship between copyright and AI training.
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Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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