Tech developers will not have a “free pass” to use creative works to train artificial intelligence systems, but advocates say more protections are needed against copyright theft.
Australian creatives have called on the government to seize the opportunity to set an ethical and sustainable standard for AI development, as it rules out allowing developers to mine creative works without payment or permission.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has emphasized the importance of harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence to bolster Australia’s economy. However, she highlighted the necessity of ensuring that the nation’s creative minds also reap the benefits of these technological advancements.
In an effort to strike a balance between innovation and creative rights, the government plans to engage with a diverse array of stakeholders. This includes inviting writers, musicians, and other creative professionals to join discussions alongside tech industry representatives. The goal of these consultations is to explore potential copyright laws that could govern the use of AI, ensuring that the contributions of Australian creatives are duly recognized and protected.
Rowland said a reference group will meet over the next two days to discuss ways to encourage fair and legal avenues for the use of copyright material in AI.
Writers, musicians and other creatives will be consulted alongside tech industry representatives on potential copyright laws in relation to AI.
Multiple tech companies have called for the introduction of a broad text and data mining exemption in Australian copyright law.
This would allow AI developers to use the work of Australian creators to train their systems for free and without permission.
The way AI systems had been developed so far was the greatest act of copyright theft in history, Australian Society of Authors CEO Lucy Hayward told the Australian Associated Press.
Such an exemption would have given AI developers a “free pass” and legitimised the copyright theft that had already taken place, Hayward said.
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
