OpenAI and Anthropic are urging Australia to reconsider strict copyright rules that limit how artificial intelligence companies can use Australian creative content to train AI models.
Australia has already ruled out a broad copyright exception that would freely allow AI developers to use protected content for model training. This makes it harder for companies to train large AI systems in the country using copyrighted books, articles, images and other creative material without permission.
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have now asked the Australian government to consider a more flexible approach. Their proposals were submitted as part of a parliamentary inquiry examining artificial intelligence, investment, copyright and the wider impact of AI on Australia.
Anthropic has suggested a narrow form of conditional approval instead of a broad copyright exemption. Under such an approach, AI companies could potentially receive permission to train models under specific conditions designed to support Australian creators, cultural industries and investment.
OpenAI has also called for what it describes as a more balanced copyright framework. The company wants AI models to be able to learn from publicly available information while still giving copyright owners opportunities to work with AI developers and protect their interests.
The debate is becoming increasingly important because Australia wants to attract more AI infrastructure and investment. OpenAI is linked to a planned data centre project in Sydney with Australian data centre company NextDC, while Anthropic has also been named as a partner connected to new data centre infrastructure in Queensland.
At the same time, Australian authors, publishers, artists and other creators have raised concerns about copyrighted work being used to train commercial AI systems without clear permission or payment. The government therefore faces the challenge of encouraging AI investment while maintaining protections for the country’s creative industries.
Australia is also consulting on the future of AI training and large-scale digital infrastructure. The government has said it wants to encourage investment while ensuring that AI development delivers benefits for Australians and operates under clear rules.
The Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence is examining issues including AI investment, copyright law, Australian creative content, cybersecurity and emerging AI risks. Its final report is scheduled for November 30, 2026.
The outcome could influence whether major AI companies expand model-training operations inside Australia and how Australian copyrighted material can legally be used in future AI systems.
