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Australia will establish new laws to govern artificial intelligence, focusing on the energy and water usage of AI data centers and ensuring the protection of creative copyright, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today. In a significant speech outlining his government's approach to AI, Albanese stressed the importance of adopting the technology in a manner that benefits Australia's national interest.

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Letting others write the AI rules "would mean subcontracting our national sovereignty and security to the control of foreign monopolies".

Albanese plans to meet with state and territory leaders next month to discuss the proposed legislation, which is slated for introduction next year. He emphasized that Australia must develop its own AI rules to maintain national sovereignty and security, warning against "subcontracting our national sovereignty and security to the control of foreign monopolies." The Prime Minister stated, "Our great country can be much more than a data warehouse for AI products made overseas."

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Our great country can be much more than a data warehouse for AI products made overseas.

The announcement follows lobbying efforts by US startup Anthropic, which reportedly sought changes to Australian copyright laws to aid AI model training. Albanese asserted that Australian creative content is not "up for grabs." The new laws will offer "the strongest possible protection for Australian artists and Australian media," he said. He made it clear that no company can use Australian works to train AI without the artist's consent, including control over pricing and value, calling any less "theft."

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Australian creative content was not "up for grabs", and the new laws will provide "the strongest possible protection for Australian artists and Australian media".

Data centers will face clear legal obligations, including requirements to contribute more power to the grid than they consume, preventing AI from driving up energy prices for citizens. They will also need to minimize water usage and avoid competing for land needed for housing. Albanese acknowledged that investment in data centers has been a major economic growth driver but cautioned against settling for short-term gains. He also expressed optimism that AI can be an "instrument to create" good jobs rather than a threat, with a dedicated AI policy office to be established within his department.

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No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist's control. That includes the artist's control of the price and value of their work. Anything less is theft.