CREATIVES WARN ON COPYRIGHT AS $50BN DEAL LOOMS

A proposal under consideration would allow technology firms to access and use creative works to train AI systems, with the government offsetting impact through annual funding for artists. Creatives are pushing back, insisting any deal must not weaken existing copyright protections. The sector argues that a compensation fund, however substantial, cannot replace legal safeguards that prevent unauthorized use of their work. Independent senator David Pocock has labeled the proposal an "ultimate dirty deal," signaling political resistance to the arrangement. The $50bn datacentre investment represents significant economic incentive for the Albanese government. Tech companies argue they need reliable access to training data to develop competitive AI systems. The $350m-a-year artist fund is positioned as a trade-off to address creator concerns. However, creatives contend that copyright reform should not be transactional. They're calling for assurances that any agreement will maintain existing legal frameworks that give them control over how their work is used and distributed. The proposal highlights the tension between attracting tech investment and protecting intellectual property rights. Australia has faced pressure to create favorable conditions for AI development, but the creative sector warns that weakening copyright protections sets a dangerous precedent. The government has not yet made a decision on the proposal. Cabinet deliberations are ongoing, with the creative sector actively lobbying for stronger protections in any final agreement. This dispute reflects broader global debates about AI training data, copyright, and compensation for creators whose work fuels machine learning systems.