Albanese says AI training on Australian media without control is ‘theft’

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has put media and creator rights at the centre of the federal government’s proposed AI framework, saying Australian journalists, writers, musicians and artists must retain control over how their work is used to train artificial intelligence systems.

The government will introduce a set of Australian standards for AI, with legislation expected early next year, alongside the immediate establishment of an Office of AI within the department of prime minister and cabinet.

While the framework also covers data centres, energy use, water efficiency and national AI infrastructure, Albanese used a speech today to draw a firm line around the use of Australian creative work in AI training.

“Australian writers, musicians, artists and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work,” Albanese said. “Our laws will spell that out, plain as day.”

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He said no company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control, including control over “the price and value of their work”.

“Anything less, is theft,” Albanese said.

The comments put the government directly into one of the most contested areas of AI policy: whether technology companies should be allowed to train models on copyrighted journalism, books, music, images and creative work without explicit permission or payment.

The proposed standards will also introduce rules for large data centres, including obligations to underwrite new power supply, pay their full share of connection costs, reduce power use when needed to support the grid and improve water efficiency.

The government said the framework is designed to give Australia a clearer regulatory model for AI training and large-scale AI infrastructure, while protecting national interests, creative rights and local communities.

Albanese said Australia had a chance to shape AI before global technology companies built infrastructure and systems on their own terms.

“This is our time to decide what AI looks like here in Australia,” he said.

“It is not a question of ‘if’ or ‘when’ AI will transform our economy, we are past that. The question that matters, the choice that we have, is how.”

The government’s approach will be considered by National Cabinet in August, with legislation expected early next year.