AI companies want to water down Australia’s copyright laws. Artists are outraged, Labor is split

Australian artists are up in arms as major AI companies push for watered-down copyright laws, arguing that stringent protections are stifling technological progress and data center investments. Author Anna Funder likened the situation to a crime, highlighting how tech firms have allegedly pirated her work without consent. The debate has split the Labor Party, with some members advocating for business incentives while others prioritize creative rights, setting the stage for a pivotal speech by Anthony Albanese on the future of AI regulation. This conflict underscores the broader tension between innovation and intellectual property in the digital age.