For as long as I can remember, people have been frothing at the mouth for the possibility of AI (artificial intelligence). It promised a bright future for the human race. The robots do the labour, humans create art. An idyllic world. So when did this dream warp into a nightmare where robots “create” the art and humans do the labour.

The Productivity Commission’s report Harnessing data and digital technology report. Makes a case for AI developers to have unlimited access to and consume copyrighted material to train the machine.

A plethora of artists have been vocal in their disgust in using AI to create art. AI threatens the livelihood of artists, jeopardises human intervention and erodes creativity. Kshirsagar, Aditya explains that “AI, in Many Ways, Is a Mirror — Not Just a Tool, but a Reflection of the User’s Energy, Mindset, and Intent.” Medium.

Besides being egregious in essence productivity will not be raised. Art expands minds and opens you to new worlds, but in a mirror you are only reflecting yourself. If AI takes control of art, humanity will be trapped in an endless loop and stagnant in its evolution. Essentially, nothing new will be created and the world will decay. 

Using “productivity” as a smoke screen it gives way for big AI tech conglomerates to freely access to our art. The productivity commission wants to add a ‘text and data mining exception’ to the Australia’s Copyright Act. Essentially the overall creation of Australian art can be ripped from the creators arms. Consent not needed and the compensation is a middle finger for all their hard work. All to feed the machine that’s AI generative models.     

The productivity commission desires feeding artists to the machine. The government appears to be fence sitting with Jim Chalmers’ statement ‘we have no plans at this stage’. It’s the duty as citizens of Australia to oppose changes to the copyright law. We must be loud, we must be definitive and we must not be ignored. Call your MP today about keeping copyright law as is. A single wave may not break a cliff — but if the wave never hits, the cliff will always remain.

More articles:

‘Creative theft’: arts and screen bodies respond to AI proposals in PC’s 2025 report

The Productivity Commission just advocated for theft and I’m f**king livid