The Albanese government is weighing a proposal that would allow AI companies to access Australian creatives' works by default, in an effort to reach a compromise with major U.S. tech firms. This move comes after representatives from OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, met with Australian Labor ministers and expressed concerns that current copyright laws are preventing them from training AI models locally. The proposal, outlined in a document titled "AI on Australian Terms," has sparked debate over the balance between supporting AI innovation and protecting the rights of Australian creators. Independent Senator David Pocock criticized the proposed compromise, warning that it would place copyright protections for creatives "under the bus" in the pursuit of datacentre investments. He argued that the proposal would prioritize the interests of AI companies over those of everyday Australians, granting them access to all Australian content unless individuals explicitly opt out. Pocock emphasized that the responsibility of defending creative rights should not fall on the content creators themselves, who already own and invest in their work. The document highlights a key challenge: the large number of small, individual creators who may not have the resources or capacity to negotiate directly with AI companies. It suggests that rights holders could be required to "digitally protect" their content if they do not want AI models to use it, a proposal many rights holders argue is impractical. One option outlined in the proposal would allow AI companies to access and train on any unprotected online content, provided they secure deals with enough businesses. Another option would involve AI companies striking deals with organizations that represent creatives, even if the content was created by individuals not part of those organizations. Labor’s industry minister, Tim Ayres, has insisted that the government’s upcoming AI regulations will not weaken copyright protections. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles acknowledged that the government is working quickly to address copyright concerns and emphasized the economic benefits of collaborating with U.S. tech giants. He stressed that any partnership must be on terms that align with Australia's national interests. Meanwhile, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young condemned the proposed compromise, calling it "abhorrent" and warning that it would allow big tech companies to use Australian creative work without fair compensation. The debate has drawn strong opposition from musicians, writers, and artists, who have previously lobbied against weaker copyright laws. They have expressed concerns that AI companies are offering significant datacentre investments in exchange for access to Australian content. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is overseeing the government’s consultations with affected groups, and a spokesperson stated that any changes to copyright laws would ensure "meaningful control and fair compensation" for creators. OpenAI has also engaged with Australian officials, with its vice president for global policy, Ann O’Leary, emphasizing that the company cannot proceed with local AI training until copyright barriers are resolved. The government has rejected claims that OpenAI has issued an ultimatum, and officials have reiterated their commitment to supporting Australian artists while ensuring they retain control over and are fairly compensated for their work.