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Australia’s AI Investment in Data Centres Is Pointless as Long As Copyright Laws Block Billions in Funding and Jobs

Australian Financial Review

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Date Published
18 Feb 2026
Priority Score
3
Australian
Yes
Created
18 Feb 2026, 03:00 pm

Authors (1)

Description

Our copyright rules mean it’s illegal to train large-scale AI models, so there’s no point building them.

Summary

The article critiques Australia's investment in AI infrastructure, particularly data centres, highlighting the counterproductive impact of stringent copyright laws. These laws hinder the training of large-scale AI models, effectively obstructing potential funding and job creation in the AI sector. The piece underscores the disparity between Australia's approach and the extensive investment by major US tech firms, which is significantly bolstering their AI capabilities. This discussion is relevant to global AI policy and governance conversations, as it emphasizes the need for updated legal frameworks that can accommodate advanced AI development while potentially impacting Australia's strategic position in the AI landscape.

Body

TechnologyData centresPrint articleFeb 18, 2026 – 9.00amHere’s an eye-popping statistic for you. This coming year, just four US technology companies will invest $900 billion in AI infrastructure – roughly equivalent to 40 per cent of Australia’s total GDP.To put it another way, that’s enough money to acquire Rio Tinto, BHP and FMG, and have sufficient change left over to buy Glencore.Loading...Rohan Silva is chair of Founders Factory Australia, which invests in early-stage tech companies.SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreData centresOpinionAIData Centre Gold RushFetching latest articles