Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that Australian artists, writers, musicians and journalists must retain control of their work in the age of artificial intelligence, using a major policy speech to rule out allowing AI companies to train models on copyrighted material without permission.

Speaking at the University of Sydney on Wednesday, Albanese said Australia would pursue AI development that served the national interest while protecting creators. He also announced a new Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to coordinate national policy and develop mandatory Australian AI standards.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Great Hall, University of Sydney. Photo © The University of Sydney/Fiona Wolf

In one of the government’s strongest statements yet on copyright, the Prime Minister said Australian creative works should not be used to build AI systems without the consent of rights holders.

“Australian writers, musicians, artists and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work. Our laws will spell that out, plain as day,” Albanese said, adding that, “No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control. That includes the...