During a parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reaffirmed that the nation’s copyright framework is adequate to manage AI licensing. ABC head of content and legal operations Kate Gilchrist emphasized that AI firms can negotiate directly with rightsholders for the licences they need.
ABC Rejects Calls for a Copyright Carve‑out
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and Anthropic, creator of Claude, have urged Australian lawmakers to relax copyright rules so their systems can access domestically produced content. Gilchrist pushed back, stating that the current system already provides a clear path for AI companies to obtain the necessary permissions.
“The copyright system is completely adequate to manage the business of AI,” Gilchrist told the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. “AI can engage in negotiations with rightsholders for the relevant licences that they need.”
Potential Unauthorised Scraping
When asked whether the ABC believes its material has been used without payment, Gilchrist said she does not have conclusive proof but expects a “likely possibility” that the broadcaster’s output has been scraped for model training.
“I do not think we have conclusive evidence that we have been scraped but I expect that there is a likely possibility that we have been,” she said.
No Plans to Replace Human Newsreaders
ABC senior executive for policy and regulatory affairs David Sutton addressed concerns about AI‑generated news anchors. He confirmed that the public broadcaster has no intention of replacing its human presenters.
“I can envisage particular contexts in programme making where that might be necessary. But fundamentally, there’s no plan to recreate our newsreaders or anything like that,” Sutton explained.
Government Considerations and Industry Response
Media reports indicate the Australian government is weighing an “opt‑out” clause that would automatically grant AI firms access to content unless a rightsholder objects. Gilchrist warned that such a measure would shift the burden onto creators, who cannot realistically monitor every corner of the internet.
“We cannot scour the internet and ensure that we are opting out on all those sites. It simply does not work,” she said.
Representatives from OpenAI and Anthropic are scheduled to appear before the same committee later on Tuesday, suggesting that the debate over how AI interacts with Australian media will continue.
Why This Matters for Australians
The outcome of this inquiry could shape how Australian creators protect their work while still allowing responsible AI development. By defending existing copyright protections, the ABC aims to preserve the value of locally produced content and ensure that creators receive fair compensation.
Stakeholders from the media, technology, and legal sectors will be watching closely as the committee’s recommendations are drafted, recognizing that the balance struck here may set a precedent for other nations grappling with similar challenges.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
