Lead

Independent senator David Pocock has challenged the Albanese government to rule out letting tech giants use Australian content to train AI models, as cabinet considers proposals to change copyright rules for the rapidly developing technology. Senator Pocock used Senate question time on Tuesday to ask the government about intense lobbying from AI proprietors over possible new rules and regulations for Australian-made content, including suggestions that Labor would create a new "carve-out" or extend existing licensing arrangements.

Coverage comparison

The story has been covered by ABC Australia and The Guardian, with both outlets reporting that Senator Pocock clashed with Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres over whistleblower claims that federal cabinet is considering plans to let AI companies train on Australian copyright material.

According to ABC Australia, Mr Ayres accused Mr Pocock in parliament of "reckless speculation" for airing the claim, while Mr Pocock said Mr Ayres did not deny or reject the claims. The Guardian reported that Mr Ayres accused Pocock of being reckless in airing the questions publicly in an ABC radio interview on Monday and in parliament on Tuesday.

The Guardian, citing a report from Guardian Australia, said competing cabinet submissions about the plan are in train, with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Attorney-General's Department split over the best approach. This detail was not included in the ABC article.

The ABC article noted that the government has previously ruled out a text and data mining exception, while The Guardian quoted anonymous spokespersons for Senator Ayres and Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton as saying the claims were "Inaccurate" and that the government's position has not changed.

Key claims

  • Senator Pocock alleged that federal cabinet is considering two competing proposals to change copyright policy for AI training, as reported by both ABC Australia and The Guardian.
  • One proposal would create a copyright "carve-out" for AI companies, tied to billions of dollars in data centre investment and hundreds of millions of dollars annually for a creative fund, according to Senator Pocock as reported by ABC Australia. The Guardian also reported that ministers could choose between establishing new exemptions from copyright rules in exchange for greater investment in Australian hosted datacentres, or a possible licensing extension to cover AI model developments.
  • The other proposal would expand licensing agreements to allow AI companies to legally use Australian material to train their proprietary technology, as reported by both outlets.
  • A new fund for creative industries could be established as part of the package, a claim carried by The Guardian.
  • The Guardian reported that competing cabinet submissions are in train, with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Attorney-General's Department split over the best approach.
  • Minister Tim Ayres accused Senator Pocock of "reckless speculation" for airing the claims publicly, as reported by both outlets.
  • The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a moratorium on the building and approval of new datacentres in Australia, as reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Senator David Pocock (Independent): Senator Pocock said he had been provided information showing the prime minister was preparing to announce a plan on or about 15 July, potentially offering expedited approvals and investment for new datacentres. He told the ABC that a "credible source" had provided detailed information to his office about the high-level plans, and described one cabinet submission that would effectively allow AI companies to text and data-mine Australian creatives' work in return for a multi-billion data centre investment and expedited approvals.

Minister Tim Ayres (Albanese government): The industry minister accused Senator Pocock of "reckless speculation" for airing the questions publicly. Mr Ayres said the government would not permit "undermining of copyright protections" as it considers possible new regulations for AI, and praised the assistant minister for science, technology and the digital economy, Andrew Charlton, for his handling of AI policy. Spokespersons for Senator Ayres and Assistant Minister Charlton both called the claims "Inaccurate" and said: "The government has ruled out a text and data mining exception. Our position has not changed."

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens): The Greens senator called for a moratorium on the building and approval of new datacentres in Australia until regulations are in place, as reported by The Guardian.