The Productivity Commission proposed a text and data mining exception for the Copyright Act as a possible reform to “keep pace” with AI in a report released in September. This would allow AI models such as ChatGPT to train on Australian media, including websites, books and music without seeking permission from the copyright holder. Rankin said the proposal “would be a fundamental dismantling of our copyright system, legalising the theft of Australian culture at scale”. They want access to Australian culture and creativity for free. “The things we make are steeped in authenticity … you can’t replicate that.”Dan McNamee believes the AI exception to the Copyright Act will hurt artists.