Google Urges Australia To Relax Copyright Laws To Enable AI To Extract Information From Websites

The Australian government received a submission from Google and other tech giants. They urged the government to ease copyright laws, allowing AI to extract information from websites. Google emphasized that the government must assess if copyright laws can provide enough flexibility to aid AI advancement.

The company demanded the implementation of a fair dealing exception for AI-driven text and data mining. Google claimed that the absence of such copyright flexibilities leads to the investment and growth of AI and machine-learning technologies in other countries.

According to Google, other nations, like Singapore, the US, and Japan, with copyright frameworks emphasizing innovation, are generating AI-powered products and services. These products and services are exported to Australia for use by Australian businesses and consumers.

Google warned that Australia might rely solely on importing these technologies without these exceptions.

Google urges Australia to draft copyright laws for AI that are beneficial for all. #AI #copyright #technology #GPT4https://t.co/i1BJYrVdcr

— Ai Tool Hunt (@AiToolHunt) April 21, 2023

Internet Companies Support Google’s Position

Communications Alliance, an organization representing Twitter, Meta, and Amazon Web Services, among other internet companies, backed Google’s stance. Meanwhile, digital platform advocacy group Digi urged a review of copyright law to determine if AI-generated content is safeguarded.
Digi stated that it needs to be clarified whether copyright protection would extend to works produced by AI programs. They urged clarification on the ownership of AI-generated content.

Google cited Google Translate as one of the advantages of AI. Meanwhile, Digi highlighted AI’s potential to identify and remove terrorist and child abuse content online. Digi emphasized that companies investing in such solutions must process vast amounts of illegal and lawful materials. This is necessary for the technology to learn to differentiate between the two.

However, the current fair dealing exceptions for private use in Australian law may not be sufficient to support this research and development.

Content creators, such as news websites, photographers, musicians, and artists, are demanding safeguards against AI extracting their content without compensation. This request is happening concurrently with the push for AI allowances. Aria, the peak body for music companies, stressed the need for copyright law to guarantee artists receive adequate compensation as AI and similar technologies progress.

Featured image from economictimes.com