UK campaigners beat AI copyright plan, warn Australia
▼ Summary
– Campaigners who successfully opposed UK plans for AI training on copyrighted work without permission are warning Australia against adopting a similar opt-out model.
– Leaked documents reveal the Australian government is considering an opt-out approach, allowing AI firms to use creator content unless creators explicitly object.
– The UK abandoned its own opt-out proposal in March after only 3% of over 10,000 respondents supported it, following a political campaign led by figures like Beeban Kidron.
– Australian AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic have requested changes to copyright laws to facilitate local training centers, arguing that current rules are restrictive.
– While tech industry representatives claim fair pay and AI training can coexist, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s office states it is still consulting on options ensuring creator control and payment.
UK campaigners who successfully blocked an AI copyright loophole have issued a stark warning to Australia, urging its government not to adopt a similar framework that would allow artificial intelligence firms to use copyrighted material without permission. Speaking with the Guardian, these advocates highlighted the dangers of the proposed Australian model, which relies on an opt-out system where creators must actively object if they wish to prevent their work from being used for training purposes.
The controversy in Australia emerged this month following reports by ABC News about leaked slides from the Attorney-General’s Department. These documents revealed that the government is considering a policy under which AI companies could freely train on creative works unless specific objections are raised. This approach mirrors a strategy previously explored in the United Kingdom, which was abandoned in March after overwhelming public rejection. At that time, only 3% of the more than 10,000 respondents to the UK consultation supported the opt-out mechanism. Consequently, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced that the government had no preferred option remaining, effectively shelving the plan.
Leading the political opposition in the UK was Beeban Kidron, a film director and member of the House of Lords. She addressed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese directly, cautioning him against compromising the rights of local artists. “He should not squander his reputation by selling Australian creatives down the river,” Kidron stated. Her efforts were bolstered by composer and former AI executive Ed Newton-Rex, who organized significant cultural resistance. This included a silent protest album supported by over 1,000 musicians and a wordless book signed by 10,000 writers. Newton-Rex emphasized that the UK campaign succeeded in demonstrating that the public expects AI firms to compensate content creators. “It will take just a moment for people to understand this is not fair,” he told the Guardian.
Despite the backlash, the technology sector continues to advocate for a balance between AI development and creator compensation. Antony Walker of the trade group techUK argued that rights holders had been overly aggressive in shaping the debate in Britain. Meanwhile, major AI players such as OpenAI and Anthropic have lobbied the Australian government to relax current regulations. According to ABC News, OpenAI has indicated it cannot establish an Australian training center without modifications to existing copyright laws. In response, the office of Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed that consultations are ongoing to find solutions that ensure creators retain meaningful control and receive fair payment.
(Source: The Next Web)
