Australian music industry organizations have condemned the unauthorized use of their creativity to train large AI models. The members wrote a letter to the government, asking it to maintain their copyright and demanding stronger protection against unauthorized use. The move comes as a concern after reports surfaced about the use of Australian musicians’ work without their consent. Here’s a closer look at the Australian music industry’s strong stance to protect its rights against AI technologies.
The Australian music industry writes a letter to the government
By submitting an open letter urging government officials, Australian musicians, local artists and organizations worked together to ensure creators are protected by the law. The coalition includes APRA AMCOS, ARIA, AMPAL, The Copyright Agency, Australian Music Centre, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office, Australian Publishers Association, Screenrights, Screen Producers Australia, AIR and others, according to Variety Australia. The Atlantic previously reported that the work of millions of local artists in Australia and New Zealand was being mindlessly used to train AI models without the knowledge, consent or payment of songwriters, composers and publishers. The work was included in all four “giant datasets of songs”, raising concerns about copyright infringement, liability and security. Local artists whose work was part of the equation include Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel, Sia, Crowded House, Split Enz, INXS, Kylie MinogueChé Fu, Lorde, Christine Anu, Nick Cave, Tame Impala, Yothu Yindi, Six60, Marlon Williams, Dan Sultan and more, according to the aforementioned outlet.
On the appeal of UK musicians
Before Australia, the UK music industry shared similar concerns about copyright and AI technologies. In 2025, 400 artists, incl Elton John, Dua Lipaand Lord Paul McCartneywrote a letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking about the UK’s position as a creative powerhouse, the artists claimed that not protecting their rights would be like giving away their work to tech companies.