Artificial Intelligence Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:37): My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Farrell. Minister, I note reports in the media today that OpenAI has issued an ultimatum to your government saying that it will not even consider investing in domestic AI training or renewable energy if the government refuses to water down copyright laws. Has the government recently undertaken consultations on an opt-out option that puts the onus on rights holders to digitally protect material online if they don't want it to be used in training without a licence? Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:38): I thank Senator Pocock for his question. Obviously, the government has taken a deep interest in the issue of artificial intelligence with a view to, on the one hand, maximising the benefits for Australia that come from this new technology and, on the other hand, ensuring that whatever happens in this space is protected and that we get the best possible results for the Australian community. In terms of the specifics of what you've asked there, Senator Pocock, this is obviously not my direct portfolio area. As I said before, the government, including the Prime Minister, has made very clear statements about this area. I'd be happy to consult with the Attorney-General and come back to you with an answer on the specific question that you have raised this afternoon. The PRESIDENT: Senator Pocock, first supplementary? Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:39): Thank you, Minister. I'd love an answer from the Attorney-General and for them to specifically clarify on copyright. As you said, the Prime Minister has made commitments on this, but is your government canvassing a statutory data training authorisation model that grants AI companies statutory permission to access material on the internet for training purposes? Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:40): I thank Senator Pocock for his first supplementary question and for his interest in this important area of technological change. Artificial intelligence represents significant opportunities for Australia, our economy and our national security, but we want to ensure that Australian creatives and the media benefit from these opportunities as well. As the Prime Minister stated in his recent address on AI in Australia's interests, the government wants to attract frontier AI investment but to do so in a way that allows us to set the terms on AI in Australia. This includes terms regarding control and payment for copyright owners in relation to the use of their material for AI training and strong protections for Australian artists and media. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Pocock, second supplementary? Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:41): Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that this isn't your portfolio and that you've undertaken to get specific info from the A-G. Can you confirm that it remains the government's commitment to not water down copyright protections for Australian creatives? Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:41): I thank Senator Pocock for his second supplementary question. I think I started to answer that particular question when I was responding to the previous question, but I'll repeat it. The terms and conditions under which we are seeking to get benefits for Australia in terms of AI include terms regarding the control and the payment for copyright owners in relation to the use of their material for AI training. Strong protections for Australian artists and the media will remain a core part of Australia's approach to artificial intelligence.