AI could pose a new threat – with Australian authors fearing a proposed shift in copyright laws could give power to tech giants for use of creative works without permission or payment.

The Productivity Commission’s interim report recommends a “text and data mining” exemption, pitched to reveal $116 billion in economic growth, a move backed by tech leaders like Scott Farquhar, who says it could “unlock billions of dollars of investment”.

But writers and publishers warn it would undermine creative ownership and strip value from the work of Australian authors.

Image: Source: Pexels – Shantanu Kumar

Produced By: Jordan Zerella

Featured In Story: Jennifer Mills – Author and Deputy Chair of the Australian Society of Authors, Dr. Alice Grundy – Managing editor of Australia Institute Press, and Eileen Camilleri – CEO of Australian Copyright Council

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 14 August 2025