Australian PM Albanese says AI training without artist control is theft
Australia’s Prime Minister put the word “theft” on unlicensed AI training. In a July 15, 2026 speech on AI, Anthony Albanese said no company should use Australian books, music, art, or news to build or train AI without giving creators control. The music industry welcomed it fast, and you can see why.
No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI. Anything less is theft.
What Albanese’s theft line signals for Australian copyright
The statement lands in the middle of a fight. Tech-sector lobbyists have spent recent months pushing Australia to rewrite copyright law in their favour, mainly by adding a text and data mining exception that would let AI companies train on existing works without asking or paying. Albanese’s line reads as the government holding its earlier position: no new carve-out.
The music industry took it as confirmation. Damian Rinaldi, CEO of the Australian music publisher association AMPAL, welcomed the comments and said an artist’s creative work is their property. He added that publishers are ready to negotiate fair licences, calling copyright non-negotiable.
Why a statement is cheaper than a licence
A speech is not law, and a principle is not a payment. The UK spent this year proving the point in reverse, where the government’s plan to make artists opt out of AI training collapsed under pressure from both sides. Australia’s creators have not been waiting on a podium moment either. They ran an industry open letter on AI training, and ARIA has blasted the proposed reforms for months.
What Albanese adds is bargaining power. A head of government calling unlicensed training “theft” raises the political cost of any future carve-out and hands negotiators a stronger floor. The speech sets that floor. The licences that follow are what actually pay artists.
Frequently asked questions
What did Australian PM Anthony Albanese say about AI training and copyright?
In a July 15, 2026 speech, Albanese said no company should use Australian books, music, art, or news to build or train AI without ensuring creators have control, adding that "anything less is theft". He framed creator control as a principle the Australian government intends to uphold.
Is Australia introducing a text and data mining exception for AI training?
Albanese's statement suggests Australia is sticking to its position of not adding a text and data mining exception, which would let AI companies use existing works without permission or payment. Tech-sector lobbyists have pushed for that carve-out in Australian copyright law.
How did the Australian music industry respond to Albanese's AI statement?
The music publisher association AMPAL welcomed it. CEO Damian Rinaldi said an artist's creative work is their property and that publishers are ready to negotiate fair licences, calling copyright non-negotiable while backing practical licensing solutions.
About the author
Covering AI music tools, industry shifts, and news for music creators and professionals. Twice-weekly newsletter at aimusicpreneur.com.
